The Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) Wellness Council announced that Benfield, Cape St. Claire, and Pine Orchard elementary schools, as well as Central Middle School and South River High School are the winners of the 2019 AACPS Wellness School of Distinction award.

From Eye on Annapolis:

In order to win the prestigious honor, schools must show that its culture encompasses wellness as reflected in the ten components of the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model. WSCC is a coordinated and collaborative school health approach outlined by the Centers for Disease Control.  The components of the WSCC are: health education; physical activity; health services; nutrition environment & services; counseling, psychological, & social services; social & emotional climate; physical environment; employee wellness; family engagement; and community involvement.

From approaches that incorporate equity to monthly fitness challenges for students and staff to health-focused afterschool clubs, each winning school’s approach to creating a culture of wellness is unique, but with one common factor:  collaboration and motivation to be a well community.

This is South River High School’s third designation as well as Benfield Elementary School’s second. The application for the 2020 award will be available sometime this spring.