Maryville Wellness: Educators, Martrez Taylor and Candace Boeh, workout in the high school weight room during their planning period last year.
The Maryville R-II school district has implemented a new employee wellness plan.
Melissa Coffelt, Maryville Middle School nurse, worked with school administrators to create a wellness committee. The committee will host activities every month to help reduce staff stress and increase camaraderie among co-workers, while lowering health costs for employees and the district.
Some of the group events include night golfing at Mozingo, DISH nights at Hy-Vee to promote healthy cooking, pickle ball tournaments and movie nights. Twila Swinford has volunteered her massage therapy services during the massage-themed month and high school students may volunteer to help with child care for the events.
The program kicks off with a back-to-school picnic for employees and their families with sand volleyball and hillbilly golf.
“Teachers work very hard during the year and often don’t have a lot of downtime or time to make friends in their work environment. We want to invest in our employees as much as they invest in our kids at school,” said Coffelt.
Employees will keep track of their healthy activities by using an organizer created by the district’s technology technician, Joe Alley. Activities may include steps walked in a day, a workout or a game promoting good health. Each activity logged will earn points for prizes. Employees can also earn points for yearly wellness exams, donating blood, getting a flu shot, participating in community wellness activities such as a 5K or volunteering for an organization.
“We want people to have a variety of things to do,” said Coffelt.
The monthly prizes will include Royals tickets, Chiefs tickets, Northwest gear and dinner and movie certificates.
Employees will also have access to a Facebook page on which they can share recipes and workout ideas and encourage one another.
“We are trying to get healthier as a group, so we can set an example for our kids at school and our kids at home,” said Coffelt.
Facebook Comments