b'Staff inspires schoolchildren Everyone on board with creative ideasEmerson Schools Rumba saysBut Rumba wont take sole credit for that taking the pledge wasthe success of the program. She says easy and only required thatwithout the willing participation of her participants take a look at theirco-workers, it would never have gotten own lifestyles and have moreoff the ground, and it would never have awareness about the choicesinspired the students to get involved.that affect their health. It wasThe kids could see that the adults an easy first step that has had acould be healthy, too, says Rumba.profound effect on the overallThe adults at the school established health habits of the entirea wellness team to keep the program school. going by developing new goals and Rumba says that sinceactivities. Eventually, those actions taking the pledge theinspired the students, many of whom school staff membersshowed an interest in establishing their are eating better andown wellness team.Spotlight ongetting more exercise. School One of the most reticent of the bunch Champions confided in Rumba that following signing the pledge, she started a walking program and has since lost 10 pounds.Emerson School:Although it was very Leading by Example rewarding for Rumba to see her co-workers become so enthusiastic about L eading by example: Thats the waythe pledge, the best part turned out to beIts so exciting to hear the ideas school employees are hoping tothe infectious nature of their enthusiasm.coming from the kids, says Rumba get students more involved inBecause of the adults engagement in the(pictured, above, far left, with food their health and well-being. program, the children were eager to getservices staff Stephanie Fisher and At Fitzwilliams Dr. George S. Emersoninvolved as well. Melanie Doyle). I am curious to see how School, a pre-K through 6th-gradeThis is not just about the faculty. Itsit goes with their wellness team.public school, Lynne Rumba, schoolabout offering healthy choices for theThe students so far have suggested nurse, presented the staff with a Healthystudents, notes Rumba. putting more plants around the school Monadnock pledge to sign that eachHealthy Monadnock participatingbuilding so they can have more oxygen, one of them would live, share, modelschools are encouraged toand starting a laughing club, and inspire healthy behaviors. serve fruit or vegetablebecause It feels good to A few of them were reticent, admitsplatters at partiesThe students solaugh.Rumba, but to her amazement, she gotand have healthyfar have suggestedWorking on 100 percent participation of the schoolssnacks availableputting more plants arounda wellness team 45 staffers. That included not just full- for schoolthe school building so kidshelps them with time staff, but part-timers as well, shecelebrations.could have more oxygen,their interpersonal says. Emerson Schoolrelationships, says Rumba attributed the participationwas the first inand starting a laughingRumba. It increases rate to the schools culture. its district to pilotclub, because It feelstheir level of caring Emerson School is more like a familya fresh fruit andgood to laugh. about their community than a staff. We are a close communityvegetable program,and their school as well as and are supportive of each other, sayswhich has sincetheir health and wellness.Rumba. expanded to all the schoolsAn idea the wellness team Emerson School is one of 19 schoolsin the district. brainstormed will soon arrive in the in the region (see sidebar) that are takingIt was a wild success and continueslocal CVS pharmacy. Students and staff part in Healthy Monadnocks Schoolto be so, says Rumba. The kids love it. members created a chain of thank you Champions initiative. notes that will be displayed at the store 20 Healthy Monadnock Update 2015'