3-12-2024 7:32pm

District Wellness Week will educate students on importance of healthy habits

Donnella Tilery Editor

The health and well-being of the students are focal points of the staff in the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District. So to ensure that these scholars are educated on not just academics but on their health and wellness, a committee was formed to follow through with that sound commitment by the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District.

Under the guidance of Dave Guglietti, who is the school district’s dedicated Supervisor of Health and Physical Education, the District Wellness Committee was created. Mr. Guglietti, a rabid sports fan, realizes the importance of assembling a strong team to win—or in this case, get the message across.

As the District Wellness Coordinator, he recruited a powerful roster to form his committee.
Along with Mr. Guglietti, the team is comprised of Dan Hemberger, the Principal of Bridgewater-Raritan High School; Lsa Lattarulo, the Supervisor of Counseling and Wellness K-8; Adam Pyle, a Physical Education Teacher and cross-country and track and field coach at the high school; and Tim Teeling, the Director of Maschio’s Food Services.

These devoted committee members have spent the school year meeting to develop—and ensure—methods to promote overall health and wellness through the entire landscape that contains 11 schools.

“In a celebration of our efforts, we have planned a District Wellness Week, which will take place March 18 through 22,” Mr. Guglietti proudly reported. He explained what is expected to be an informative and productive week that will be experienced at all 11 schools.
“Schools will be showing students videos that focus on motivation, wellness, nutrition, and resilience. Students will also be provided with motivational quotes to start every day,” he said.

Mr. Guglietti added: “This is an event that has not taken place in a few years, so the excitement for its return is palpable within the schools.”

Ms. Lattarulo, who has been a positive force in just her first year in the school district, pointed out the benefits of the week-long program. “The District Wellness Week is an opportunity to recognize the importance of practicing healthy habits,’’ Ms. Lattarulo said. “Wellness Weeks explores all ways to keep the mind and body healthy through balanced nutrition, managing stress, movements, building confidence, self esteem and resilience. The purpose of the planned activities for the week is to remind students that they can make simple healthy choices everyday that will lead to overall well-being.”

Ms. Lattarulo reported on the lesson tools for the week.“Students will watch videos that highlight the number of healthy habits that they can practice for themselves,” she said.. “In addition, students at the high school and middle school will receive education on healthy relationships and risks associated with vaping. Tables with information and resources will be available to these students during lunch hour during the week.”

Here is the schedule for tables that will be set up during District Wellness Week.

Monday, March 18: 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School
Mental Health Resources
Tuesday, March 19: 11:15 a.m.-12:25 p.m. at Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School
Safe and Sound-Healthy Relationships
Wednesday, March 20: 11:15 a.m.-12:25 p.m. at Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School
Community in Crisis-Risks of Vaping
Thursday, March 21: 10:15 a.m.-11 p.m. at Bridgewater-Raritan High School
Community in Crisis-Risks of Vaping

Also, according to Ms. Lattarulo, the Health and Physical Education classes at the middle school will be doing a Wellness Walk on Friday, March 22, during all Physical Education classes.

Principal Hemberger, believed that the experiences that the students receive during the week will carry over to when they leave campus. “We’re excited to coordinate a unified approach to wellness within the district,’’ Principal Hemberger said. “It will hopefully create greater outreach and families with children in multiple schools can continue the conversations at home.”

Mr. Pyle, who involves himself in various school activities, including being a tournament director of the Dodgeball Tournament that was held on March 8, is thrilled to share healthy habits with the students. "The Wellness Committee is another way we can help our students and other members of our school district live healthy lives,’ Mr. Pyle said. He concluded: “We provide a reliable source of information and content to help our community be the best that they can be.”