Winton Woods wellness team outlines Safe Routes, school-based health center and nutrition expansions

District staff presented the Winton Woods City Schools’ wellness team annual report on April 22, describing five priorities: Safe Routes to School and active transportation; expanding summer and community nutrition services; staff wellness; partnerships with community health providers; and connecting students with community health and youth organizations.

Jeremy Day, executive director of business affairs, and the district wellness lead (presenting as Dave) reviewed completed work and plans. The speakers noted a planned widening project on Winton Road scheduled for 2026 tied to Safe Routes improvements and said they will pursue crosswalk and entrance lighting and grant opportunities. "We see kids walking up and down Winton Road every day. There's no sidewalk there," the presenter said, calling the issue a safety priority.

On meals and nutrition, the district reported it served more than 4,000 lunches last summer from its mobile distribution program and that it has purchased an additional food van to expand summer meal service; staff said they are scouting a West‑side Forest Park site for summer operations. The district also described its practice of bussing students from North to South Campus for on‑site preventive care and vaccinations and said the school‑based health center at South Campus is operating; Health Care Connections is the current provider for that site and district leaders are in talks to establish a center at the Early Childhood Central Campus.

The wellness report described ongoing staff wellness initiatives — biometric screenings, employee physicals and mental health resources — and noted events such as “GOAT yoga” that leadership said produced positive staff engagement. The district also discussed expansion of a cadet program run in partnership with local police and fire departments: organizers reported that summer registrations rose from 10 last year to 29 this year and said they are planning to expand the program into a year‑round model.

During Q&A, board members asked whether the school‑based health center could operate during the summer; staff explained the provider’s current contract and funding model tie services to the student calendar but said they will continue advocating for extended service. Staff offered to provide monthly utilization data from Health Care Connections for future board meetings.

The wellness plan will be publicly posted on the district website and is scheduled for formal review and revision on a three‑year cycle.