Maria Carrell, superintendent of schools for the Hanover Park Regional High School District, recently focused on her district’s effort to promote wellness initiatives to benefit students and staff as a guest on “Education Matters,” a talk show hosted by Ray Pinney, chief membership engagement officer at the New Jersey School Boards Association.
Pinney observed that we often talk about infusing schools with “wellness,” but he asked what that means, which sparked a conversation about how Hanover Park Regional High School District has implemented wellness initiatives.
Hanover Park Regional High School District is a participant in the Morris County Stigma-Free Communities Initiative, which is a countywide program that aims to eradicate the stigma associated with mental illness and substance use disorders, Carrell said.
As part of its focus on wellness, the district hired a district wellness coordinator in 2021, who focuses on promoting wellness not just among students but staff as well.
“We found that we needed to equip our students and staff with coping skills and healthy habits” for them to be successful, Carrell said.
She also highlighted a partnership the district has with Rutgers University that allows students to take courses focused on wellness. Once completed, they are eligible to receive college credit at the end of the course, she said.
She also shared details on an independent reading initiative, a freshman seminar and other programs that are meant to promote wellness.
