Last school year (2023-24) Veterans Memorial Middle School received the AtlantiCare NJDOH WSSC Healthy Schools Grant again. The previous school year, the middle school was awarded $6,000 and developed a school-based Wellness Team to set goals to utilize the grant money for health initiatives. A 10-week Yoga class was held after school for students and staff. A Hydration Station was purchased and installed outside the nurses’ office to provide clean water to drink and refill water bottles at the school. Two students volunteered and participated in the Youth Advisory Board and had a unique experience of engaging with other students throughout the state of NJ on ideas and concerns affecting their health. AtlanticCare assisted with the school’s staff Wellness in-service day in May and provided art therapy, a tea bar, healthy snacks, meditation, and weight analysis.
The grant was renewed for the 2023-24 school year at Veterans Memorial Middle School and awarded $4,000. The Wellness Team student members served on the Youth Advisory Board and contributed to the December Newsletter on health issues. The team consists of Principal Mr. Maysonet, School Nurse Kelli Laing, Physical Education Teacher Dawn Spickenreuther, Food Service Director Mr. Patel, Teacher Andrea Ruiz, Art Teacher Cassidy Kozub, Social Worker Cristina Luciano, Students Yareli and Gianna. Parents Ms. Krystal Rios and Ms. Lauren Figarole and Assistant Director Vineland Health Department Ms. Lopez. Additionally, on the team are the Secretary Mrs. Smith, and the Team Leader, Mrs. DeMareo. This year the Grant has been able to fund an after-school Zumba class every Monday for students and staff hosted by dance instructor Ms. Campanella.
As the focus of this year’s grant was on SEL, the team was able to book a dynamic speaker for the Fall of 2024, Mr. Reggie Dabbs who started out in life with considerable disadvantages and relates to the students in a humorous style about choices each of them may face and how they can make the good moral choices We are all looking forward to his interactive presentation.
Additionally, we applied for and received the following mini-grants: a $750 Physical Activity Innovation Grant that allowed for the purchase of gym equipment and the AtlantiCare AED Heart Heroes Grant. We were the first school to receive the AED in February 2024. Memorial Veterans Middle School also applied for and received a Special Award Grant for $1,000 to support the school’s SEL initiative, “Mindfulness Matters” The school guidance counselors, Ms. Luciano, Ms. Dubois, and Ms. Synder meet with students several times a week engaging in interactive SEL activities. The grant money supported the purchase of materials for the activities. AtlantiCare was also our partner in this year’s staff Wellness day held on May 17th. The day consisted of Tanita Screenings, chair massages, tea bar and healthy snacks, and art therapy. Line dancing and a hands-on class making essential oils. We are thankful for the partnership with AtlantiCare in supporting all these healthy endeavors.
