Wellness committee outlines SEL, nutrition initiatives and a Hopkins Hill compost pilot

Courtney Milburn, the district mental-health/SEL coordinator, told the committee the district has expanded classroom social-emotional supports and screening tools to identify students who need targeted help. "Every teacher, from preschool through grade 8 have access to the 2nd step curriculum," Milburn said, noting RULER implementation teams and PBIS are active in every building.

Milburn and other committee members emphasized training and targeted interventions. Milburn described DESA screening tied to CASEL competencies so staff can "see where gaps lie so that we can put interventions in place to address it." The wellness group also reported student-led peer-to-peer initiatives at the high school and middle school, with social-media outreach and special events supported by the Chris Collins Foundation and the University of Michigan Depression Center.

Paula (wellness committee member) and a principal on the committee discussed nutrition partnerships and a plan to pilot full composting at Hopkins Hill next year; the county partner will haul compost away for no cost in year one. The committee said composting will require retraining students and staff and recommended rolling out initial training and recycling separation at other schools first.

Why it matters: The presentation lays groundwork for districtwide wellness policies tied to instruction and staff supports; the committee signaled interest in continuing the work, including a future staff-wellness day and student leadership via PBIS and peer programs.