Erie schools outline WHISK wellness grant progress: nutrition rules, activity goals and data targets

Caitlyn Faulk, Erie Public Schools’ district wellness manager, updated the board Wednesday on the district’s progress in year three of a CDC WHISK grant focused on whole-school wellness. Faulk said a triennial School Health Index measured the district at 57% alignment—categorized as medium alignment with best practices—and set a goal of reaching 81% alignment by 2030.

She reviewed five grant objectives: implementing a comprehensive physical-activity program, enforcing the district’s wellness policy, improving the nutrition environment (including ensuring snacks meet USDA smart-snack guidelines), expanding out-of-school physical-activity opportunities, and strengthening health-service delivery. Among recent changes, Faulk said school meals are 100% federally compliant and the district launched an asthma program (Open Airways for Schools) and moved new-student health enrollment online to improve continuity of care.

Faulk said sustainability is the central focus going forward and outlined steps to embed smart-snacks compliance in school celebrations and fundraisers, expand kinesthetic learning resources, and work with community partners and finance staff to ensure funds are used for compliant foods. She said mid-year grant check-ins and an updated School Health Index will be completed by May for year-over-year tracking.

A parent and district wellness council member, Sher Crane, urged consistent implementation and noted how school food culture affects children who receive a substantial portion of daily nutrition from schools. The board acknowledged the work and discussed plans to extend wellness training and resources to administrators and community partners.