Student Wellness
Schools can promote student physical and mental health and well-being through education, prevention and early intervention efforts, and in doing so, can improve student engagement and achievement as well as social skills and relationships. These factors are all connected to lifelong success.
Learn more from NJSBA’s resources below.
Significant research supports the idea that healthy students are more successful
– NJSBA Task Force on the Impact of Health and Wellness on Student Achievement
students. In other words, health and wellness are among the important factors, along with school/organizational climate, community schools, and social-emotional learning, that impact student achievement.
Final Report from the NJSBA Firearms Safety Task Force: Processes, Programs and Practices for Safety in School, Home and Community
In February 2023, the NJSBA’s Firearms Safety Task Force published a detailed report after reviewing research on firearm deaths and injuries; the impact of children’s exposure to violence; effective strategies to protect children from accidental injury; safe gun storage, handling and use; and school- and community-based partnerships that address students’ mental and emotional health, and help them overcome trauma and defuse conflict. The report offers local boards recommendations and suggested actions that reflect strategies endorsed by child welfare organizations, gun-owner groups, the medical community, experts in public health, education organizations and other advocates.
Report of the Task Force on the Impact of Health and Wellness on Student Achievement
The group studied all areas associated with health and wellness, social-emotional learning and school/organizational climate as they relate to student achievement, and developed recommendations for consideration by local boards of education.
Building a Foundation for Hope: Report from the Task Force on Mental Health Services in the Public Schools.
The report calls for expanded efforts to address the emotional well-being of the state’s young people.
Student Wellness
Below are articles on the topic from School Leader, School Board Notes and other sources.
- Paterson Makes Student Wellness a Priority with ‘Confidence Closets.’
- As COVID-19 Retreats, Wellness Centers at Schools Advance.
- The Case for In-School Mental Health Services.
- NJDOE Shares Resources, Makes Recommendations to Support Mental Health Awareness Month.
- New School Meal Standards to Strengthen Child Nutrition.
- CDC Publishes Action Guide on Promoting Mental Health and Well-Being in Schools.
Related Resources: Videos, Webinars and Podcasts
Explore NJSBA’s multimedia resources below.
View additional multimedia resources to learn more about student wellness.
