Green Umbrella develops toolkit to help schools expand wellness programs

Source: Movers & Makers

Local nonprofit Green Umbrella played a key role in developing a new policy toolkit that gives school districts a framework to create tailored wellness initiatives addressing their communities’ evolving needs.

The Local School Wellness Policy Toolkit is a free resource for schools participating in the USDA National School Lunch and Breakfast programs. It encourages schools, local governments, and community organizations to collaborate and establish equitable wellness programs for students and staff.

Green Umbrella’s Green Schoolyards Action Network partnered with Slow Food USA and Whole Kids to develop the project. Green Umbrella, the Tri-State’s Regional Climate Collaborative, leads efforts to accelerate climate action in Greater Cincinnati. The Green Schoolyards Action Network unites school district leadership, city officials, health agencies and partner organizations to expand greenspace, environmental education and farm-to-school opportunities for K-12 students and educators in the region.

Although designed for nationwide use, Cincinnati shaped much of the toolkit’s content, demonstrating how city and school district policies can work together to increase greenspace and improve access to nutritious food.

“The work of the City of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Public Schools demonstrates how aligning policies can drive meaningful improvements in school wellness,” said Cynthia Walters, Green Schoolyards manager for Green Umbrella.

The first edition comes in English, with a Spanish version in progress. Additional training modules will help school leaders implement the toolkit effectively. Walters highlighted its potential to enhance student success, citing its impact on academic achievement, attendance, and graduation rates.

It’s available for downloading here.