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Wellbeing Committee

Join the Wellbeing Committee Today!

 

We are committed to supporting students, staff and community members with skills and knowledge to contribute to personal & communal thriving health. We embrace and are committed to learning about the various approaches to wellbeing across cultures.

Ways to Participate

  • Join the committee email group to keep up on the monthly information. (Email mauld@bccs286.org to be added to the list.) 

  • Attend the monthly committee meetings, as you are available. 

  • Participate in any of the free or low cost wellness programs offered during the school year.

  • What works for you? Connect with the Wellbeing Specialist to ask questions and offer input: mauld@bccs286.org.

The Brooklyn Center Community Schools District Wellbeing Committee currently meets on the third Thursday of every other month. The meeting time is based on members attending availability, and is flexible based on need. Currently, the committee meets via Zoom in the morning on odd-numbered months (January, March, May, July, September and November). 

We welcome family members, community members, students, staff and partners to join us. We are committed to and embrace the various approaches to thriving health and wellbeing across cultures and invite all of the various identities of the members of our community to share your interests and expertise. If you are unable to attend the meetings but would like to be involved, there is a place for you! We often have subcommittees that work on specific wellbeing projects. Please contact the Wellbeing Specialist at mauld@bccs286.org for more information, or to send your wellbeing-related questions or ideas. 
 
The BCCS Wellbeing Program has completed a third-party facilitated strategic planning and review process and have identified the priorities and action steps for the next three school years, based on stakeholder feedback. The strategies and action steps will be utilized as the committee plans and implements the applicable services, programs, resources and wellness grants. 
 
Based on the wellbeing strategic plan, many of the wellbeing initiatives will be focused on staff professional development on various wellbeing topics, as well as personal and collective wellbeing resources. Seasonal wellness classes and activities at district events will be available for families and community, including low-cost yoga and fitness classes through generous funding from Medica. Watch for more information on the "Current Community Wellbeing Programs" web page and in the district newsletters. Additionally, the committee works to keep the District Wellness Policy current and aligned with Federal and state mandates, while prioritizing the needs and interests of our stakeholders. 
 
Here is a list of the Top Five Wellness Tips, which are simple-to-implement daily practices to support your self-care habits. 

Recognition

Check out the BCCS Spotlight story on the MN Department of Education website: Minnesota Healthy Schools:  Spotlight on Success.

Read the Healthy Schools Story of Achievement that the CDC published about BCCS.

Congratulations, Brooklyn Center Community Schools Nutrition Services staff! BCCS Nutrition Services continues to work to implement many positive changes in school meals, including more access to fresh vegetables and fruits, especially locally sourced produce, as well as expanding menus items inspired by global cuisines. 

Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Award

 

ConTACT

Michelle Auld
Wellbeing Specialist
mauld@bccs286.org
763-561-2120 x2108

WELLNESS PROJECTS WITH PARTNERS

  • MnDOT Grants and MN Bicycle Alliance: BCCS is entering the second year of the MnDOT Safe Routes To Schools (SRTS) Coordinator grant. This three-year funding will provide the district with a full-time SRTS coordinator position. The focus is on increasing the scope and accessibility of SRTS programs and resources for our students and families and will continue through the 26-27 school year.
    BCCS was also the proud recipient of the MNDOT Technical Assistance grant and will be working with partners and district stakeholders to create a BCCS Safe Routes To School strategic plan for ongoing access to Active Transportation for students, families and staff.
    In addition, staff have the opportunity to attend Walk, Bike, Fun curriculum training, through MN Bicycle Alliance, in order to be trained to use the district bike fleet with students. Families, students and community members are encouraged to join the District Safe Routes To School steering committee to share the needs and interests of all stakeholders around walking, biking and other forms of Active Transportation.
  • Medica supports BCCS employees with Wellness Credits that the Wellness Committee uses to supply holistic wellbeing programs and courses, such as movement and fitness, nutrition education, mindfulness sessions and more. Email mauld@bccs286.org for more information about the program opportunities. 
  • SHIP (Statewide Health Improvement Partnership): SHIP funding is from the MN Legislature and is distributed through Hennepin County School Health and Health@Work teams to Brooklyn Center Community Schools. The School Health funding in 2025-26 will support ongoing recess and physical activity staff training and student leadership opportunities through Playworks at BCE.
  • BCCS is excited to announce that we have received the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program grant through the USDA and will begin implementing the fresh fruits and vegetables during snack times a few days per week at Brooklyn Center Elementary STEAM!
  • In addition, BCCS also is receiving funding through the Full Tray grant through Minnesota Department of Agriculture. This grant is allowing the Nutrition Services department to procure local produce to serve in meals. 
  • The BCCS District Nutrition Guidelines committee, comprised of students, parents, staff and partners, worked to develop a set of nutrition guidelines from which the District Nutrition Services and the school administration teams work. After a comprehensive needs and interest assessment of our community, three foundational guidelines were identified and are being implemented. The scratch cooking guideline is supported by the 2023 Ingredient Guide for Better School Food Purchasing.
  • BCCS has also participated for multiple years in the Harvest of the Month project through the MN Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the MN Department of Education We offer cafeteria taste tests, in each of the schools, featuring locally-sourced produce and foods and using culturally diverse recipes.
  • The Trust For Public Land: BCCS is excited about our partnership with The Trust for Public Land! This partnership is helping to drive the creation of reimagined outdoor spaces at Brooklyn Center Elementary (BCE). Throughout the process, staff, students, families and community partners will work together to design and implement new BCE schoolyards. The Trust for Public Land states, "A Healthy Community Schoolyard is a school space reimagined to address issues of health, equity, and climate, designed through a community-led participatory design process, and open and welcoming to the public."