As Part of its ongoing civic engagement initiative, PASC has teamed up with the Pennsylvania Coalition for Representative Democracy (PennCORD) to provide our member schools with resources and opportunities to develop a spirit of public service, a commitment to the common good, and a willingness to take a stand in students throughout the commonwealth. At our fall PAL Conferences, principals, advisors, and student leaders were challenged to make a sustained commitment to involve a critical mass of the student body in philanthropy, service, and political mobilization projects using the "KEEP IT!" Campaign as a tool to provide students with an effective framework for involvement.
"KEEP IT!" challenges studetn leaders to enlist students to commit 26 hours of service to an established cause or organization, to document their contribution online, and then to "Keep It Going!" by recruiting two more volunteers to duplicate their efforts after they have completed their commitment.
One of the projects featured during the PAL conferences is the creation of a School Wellness Council, a project that brings together students, teachers, principals, parents, district staff, and school board members.
What Can School Wellness Councils Do?
- Support the high schools or middle schools developing a healthier school environment.
- Create the vision and goals for the local healthy schools program
- Assist with policy developments to support a healthy school environment
- Promote parent, community, and professional involvement in devloping a healthier school
- Advocate school health programs and policies within the broader school community.
- Tap into funds and resources for student and staff wellness.
- Plan and implement programs for students and staff.
Contact the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a partnership between the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation, for details on creating a Health Schools Program in your school. (www.HealthierGeneration.org).
Continue to look for ways in YOUR school to involve different students in worthwhile programs that tap into their interests and concerns. If your Student Council is already involved in a School Wellness Committee, please email us at PASCInfo@aol.com and share some of your projects and successful intiatives so that we may share them with other schools.