The Metro Nashville Public School Office of School Health shares how they’re providing access to health and wellness resources for Nashville students.
Q: What is your organization’s mission?
MNPS Office of School Health: The MNPS Office of School Health believes every student has the right to access equitable health and wellness resources which empowers students to overcome or reduce health disparities. Providing resources and health services allows students to reach their full potential for academic success while establishing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Q: How are you and your organization working to improve the health and/or well-being of Nashvillians?
MNPS Office of School Health: We provide a comprehensive, coordinated whole-child approach promoting physical health and well-being for students, safe and supportive environments, nutrition, and positive mental, social, and emotional health. We do this while also promoting positive health and wellness by offering access to health services, health education, physical activity, and social and emotional initiatives. As we work to reduce high-risk behaviors and barriers, it allows us to provide support for positive student academic achievement and health outcomes. We also ensure that MNPS is in compliance with all TDOE Student Health Services and Coordinated School Health mandates.
Q: If you could wave a magic wand and solve one public health issue right now, what would it be?
MNPS Office of School Health: Physical activity is one of the best coping strategies there is! With our magic wand, we would get our students and staff up and moving consistently! Not only would their physical health improve, but mental health benefits would be overflowing!
Q: What are you most optimistic about right now when it comes to your organization and improving health?
MNPS Office of School Health: We hope our initiatives not only reach the school and classroom but outside those walls and into the homes of our students and staff. For example, each of our Wellness Week daily focuses is geared towards changing behaviors that students can use outside of the classroom and in their daily lives.
Q: How can people get involved/help your cause?
MNPS Office of School Health: For Wellness Week we are always looking for partners that want to contribute goods or funds for Teacher Prizes, School Prizes, and Sign-Up promotions that coincide with the themes of Wellness Week. We can provide more information if needed or if someone is interested. We are also looking for potential business partners that would want to sponsor a “Wellness / Physical Education Teacher” highlight award.
