Snowshoe Elementary Wellness team gets funding boost

Snowshoe Elementary School recently received $600 from Wal-Mart as part of the school's Wellness Team.

The school developed its Wellness Team in 2001. It identified six risk factors and is working toward helping students use physical exercise and wellness to contribute to their academic success.

"We have a walking program at school during noon time, and students earn points based on how much they walk. They collect points and get to go on field trips based on their walking," said Sandy Graham, the school's team leader.

On April 30, the school is hosting a nutrition fair, which is being funded through a grant. A $500 Valley Hospital Healthy Communities grant helped the team put together a trauma kit, for emergency preparedness.

While the wellness team is geared toward students, it also is a big lift for the staff.

"It encompasses our whole school," Graham said. "It is helping make the staff cohesive.

"We should be role models for the students."