WSCC Components

The New Jersey Department of Education lists a brief description of each component and identifies, as applicable, NJ State initiatives, related state statutes and regulations, applicable government agencies and professional associations, as well as resources and survey data results for each of the WSCC components.

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Green and Sustainable Programs

The NJ Department of Environmental Protection provides information and best practices related to building and grounds and on NJ green and sustainable programs.

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Assess your School

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Healthy School Environment Assessment Tool can be used to evaluate detrimental environmental and safety issues related to student health as well as rectify any identified hazards. 

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School Health

School Health NJ

The goal of the School Health NJ project is to improve the physical, mental, emotional, social health and well-being of students and school staff as well as the health and safety of the school environment.  There are many health risks facing teens so it is essential that they be given the support they need.

The School Health NJ project utilizes the framework of CDC's Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model.  The WSCC model is the most effective approach for improving student health and academic performance.  It focuses attention on the students being healthy, safe, supported, engaged, challenged, emphasizes a school-wide approach, and acknowledges learning, health and the school as being a part and reflection of the local community.

Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC)

The WSCC model organizes school health into ten components:

  1. Health education
  2. Physical education and physical activity
  3. Health services
  4. Nutrition environment and services
  5. Counseling, psychological and social services
  6. Physical environment
  7. Social and emotional school climate
  8. Employee wellness
  9. Family engagement
  10. Community Involvement

Coordination of these health components ensures that school health resources are used efficiently, effectively, strategically and sustainably.

Schools need some core capacities in order to accomplish the goal of improving health to enhance student learning.  These capacities include a(n):

 
  • School health coordinator and a school health team comprised of school administration and staff, students, parents and community members.
  • School health self-assessment using tools such as the CDC’s School Health Index (SHI) or ASCD’s School Health Improvement Tool.
  • School health improvement plan based on the results of the assessment.
  • Health-related goal and objective(s) included in the school district’s Improvement Plan.
Regional Partners

The School Health NJ project uses a regional network with three grantee agencies, serving seven counties each.  Click on the images to visit their websites.

North   Central South 
     

 

These agencies fund schools to implement school health and wellness actions.  Additionally, our partner Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN) is a funded grantee offering the Parents as Champions (PAC) for Healthy Schools training.  This training empowers parents as agents of change in promoting healthier schools.  Interested schools and parents can find additional resources at CDC’s Parents for Healthy Schools site.

 

SchoolHealthNJ.org

To share resources, communicate on school health activities around the State, and take advantage of our monthly mailing, please visit the SchoolHealthNJ website and sign up to become a member of our Educator Directory.

Only by working together can every young person, in every school, in every community… be healthy, safe, engaged, supported and challenged.

Improve Health to Enhance Student Learning

According to research cited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), significant health issues including hunger (lack of breakfast); chronic health conditions such as asthma, obesity, diabetes and depression; and, physical and emotional abuse negatively impact learning and leads to poor school performance.  In addition, risky health behaviors such as early sexual initiation, participating in violence including harassment, intimidation and bullying, and being physically inactive are consistently linked to lower grades and test scores.

More than 10% of NJ students are chronically absent (missing 18 days of class instruction during the school year).  When students miss school, they are not as likely to meet reading and math milesones which could impact graduating high school on time.  Asthma is a significant reason for chronic absenteeism.  The Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) is working to bring attention to this issue.

Last Reviewed: 4/7/2017