Healthy Schools, Healthy Children Achievements

At the George L. Hess Elementary School, we have been expanding and growing our garden as a learning space for our students and staff for 5 years now in fond memory of our beloved Assistant Principal, Cara Bluth. Having a fully established garden, this year we were able to use our grant to take things a step further in growing a multitude of edible plants and begin the groundwork for a sensory garden with the help of our students and staff. We were pleased to see that many of our perennials returned to beautify and help pollinate our new plants and add some annuals to fill in some free space in the garden beds. The members of our school community have enjoyed growing vegetables such as snap peas, lettuce, strawberries, and various herbs. Many of the vegetables were started using seed starters by classes, then placed under a grow lamp that was in our main lobby for the school community to observe while walking through. Afterward, each plant group was transplanted into the raised beds by each class. Different classes then took turns watering the plants, weeding the beds, and trimming the herbs and vegetables when they were ready to be harvested. One of our special education teachers gave the garden a face lift by building brand new raised beds out of wood he acquired through a generous donation. Also, we implemented a sensory garden this school year in conjunction with our plant garden. This garden includes components that appeal to all five senses (i.e. a sensory pathway, an arbor, seating, wind chimes, and planters with flowers) to help support students with sensory processing needs. One of our multiple disability classrooms took the reins and hand-painted beautiful stepping stones, bird houses, and hand made wind chimes to display in the garden, along with adirondack chairs made by one of our special education teachers. The garden has truly turned into a learning sanctuary and a peaceful place, and we look forward to seeing its growth for years to come!

Students and staff from various grades came out to help clear the weeds and prepare the ground for the new edible garden at Reeds Road Elementary School. Thanks to the generosity of AtlantiCare and their Healthy Schools Grant, Reeds Road School was able to expand Bubba’s Outdoor Classroom to include a new Victory Garden. The garden provides hands-on experiences for the students to collaborate with one another about planting, caring and harvesting their own food. Students can apply their learned knowledge and plant their own gardens at home to increase food security while reducing food costs. Students enjoyed planting and caring for seeds as they developed into strong healthy plants for the garden. The funding allowed new fencing that we hope will keep our furry friends out as well as all the other necessities needed to develop the exciting new addition. The garden will include potatoes and corn for calories, watermelon, cucumbers and squash for hydration and tomatoes and eggplant for nutrition. The school also purchased solar exhaust fans for the existing greenhouse to help regulate the temperature and allow us to start our seedlings earlier and grow plants for an extended period. We look forward to growing and harvesting a variety of fruits and vegetables to enjoy with the summer school programs and next year’s returning students in September.

Growing Wellness at Smithville Elementary with Hydroponics

Thanks to the Healthy Schools, Healthy Children grant, Smithville Elementary School has taken a bold step toward hands-on wellness education by launching a school-wide hydroponic gardening initiative. This innovative project has transformed our classrooms into living laboratories where students not only learn about plant science and sustainability, but also gain a deeper appreciation for fresh, healthy food.

With the funds, we purchased and installed several hydroponic garden systems that allow students to grow a variety of vegetables indoors—no soil required! From germination to harvest, students are active participants in the process, measuring pH levels, adjusting light exposure, and tracking growth. This real-time learning experience has enhanced our science curriculum while encouraging curiosity and responsibility.

Beyond academics, the hydroponic gardens have sparked excitement about nutrition and healthy eating. Students have eagerly tasted their own harvests, often trying vegetables like kale and spinach for the first time. These positive experiences are shaping attitudes and building healthier habits that extend into their homes.

The grant also led to the formation of a student garden club, new partnerships with local wellness organizations, and a renewed commitment to school-wide wellness goals. At Smithville, we’re not just growing vegetables—we’re growing healthier minds, stronger bodies, and a greener future.

Building Healthy Habits Through Play: ACS Adds Gaga Ball Pit with Grant Support

Atlantic Christian School is grateful to have received a Physical Enhancement Grant from AtlantiCare’s Healthy Schools, Healthy Children program. With this support, we were able to purchase and install a commercial-grade Gaga Ball pit in a permanent location at the back of our elementary playground on turf grass.

While our school has used portable Gaga Ball pits in the past, this new pit provides a dedicated, long-term space for students to enjoy active play. Since its installation, it has become a favorite spot during recess, PE classes, and after-school time. The game is easy to learn, gets students moving, and gives everyone a chance to join in—no matter their skill level. It’s also helping students practice teamwork, build friendships, and enjoy healthy competition.

Our PE teachers introduced the game in class, and it quickly caught on with students. It’s now part of their regular physical activity, giving them one more way to stay active during the school day.

This new addition has strengthened our efforts to promote student wellness, and we’re excited to keep building on that foundation. We’re thankful to AtlantiCare for helping us take another step toward a healthier school environment and hope to continue growing with additional support in the future.

For the past few years we have struggled immensely with students being prepared for class with proper footwear. Last school year, with our own funds, we purchased a shoe hanging organizer and some lysol spray and we reached out to staff and families to donate gently worn sneakers that their children no longer need. This was the start of our "Free Shoe Locker". Unfortunately, we needed more sizes and found that some of the popular sizes were getting worn out pretty quickly. So I applied for the grant and beefed up the program with a purchase of a shoe cabinet as well as a bunch of brand new sneakers! We established a procedure for borrowing and students in all grades (K-6) are able to find a pair of sneakers their size, change and get back to the squad lines for attendance. The routine is so well established that there is hardly an interruption to our class. With a variety of economic statuses in our district, students have a variety of reasons for being unprepared. It could be as simple as "I forgot" or as sensitive as being homeless. The free shoe locker gives our students the respect of not needing to know the reason, no embarrassment or discussion needed. This has really leveled the playing field with the students. It has also increased our class participation and eliminated a lot of behavior issues and arguments that come with excluding students from a lesson.

The Joyanne D Miller School in Egg Harbor Township partnered with AtlantiCare Healthy Schools, Healthy Children to provide students with disabilities exposure to a lifelong fitness activity, bike riding. During the 2024-2025 school year, AtlantiCare awarded the Joyanne D Miller School with a “Physical Activity: Innovation Grant.” This grant allowed the purchase of equipment specific to the needs of our population of multiply-disabled students. One three-wheeled cruiser was purchased. The tricycle that was purchased accommodates riders from three feet to five feet. The tricycle has an adjustable seat, back and frame to ensure each rider has the proper fit. The physical and emotional benefits established from this grant are unmatched. The trikes have allowed students to reach mastery of bike riding and build self-confidence. Physically, students have been improving cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and muscular endurance. Many of our students with disabilities experience difficulty with balance and proprioception, which can both be improved through bike riding. Emotionally, students not only have a new outlet for decompression, but increased opportunities for social engagement with family and friends. Our initial goal was to help students find, explore and develop bike riding skills; but the long-term benefits of this grant encompass so much more than that!

Creating Space for Wellness: How Our School Is Supporting Student Mental Health

This school year, thanks to the generous support of the AtlantiCare grant, our school took a meaningful step forward in supporting student wellness and social-emotional learning (SEL). With the funds awarded, we created a dedicated outdoor SEL classroom—a tranquil space furnished with new picnic tables designed to offer students a calm, natural setting for reflection, group discussions, mindfulness activities, snack and brain breaks and so much more.

Although an unusually rainy season has temporarily delayed full use of the space, the vision is clear: to give students an alternative learning environment that supports their mental and emotional well-being. The fresh air and natural surroundings will soon become a backdrop for restorative practices, peer connection, and the kind of quiet reflection that’s often hard to find within traditional classrooms.

This initiative comes at a critical time. Our school community has expressed a growing need for mental health support, yet we currently have access to a school counselor only one day a week. While this grant enabled us to enhance the physical environment for SEL, we continue to seek additional funding and partnerships to bring more consistent mental health services to our students.

We are proud of the progress this grant has made possible and look forward to the positive impact the outdoor classroom will have as the weather clears. It’s a powerful reminder that when we invest in the whole child—mind, body, and heart—we build stronger, more resilient learners.

The Woot! Woot! Wagon! was developed and implemented at the ECEC to promote mental/emotional wellness as well as physical wellness for our dedicated hard hard-working. The climate committee purchased a cart to name as above and greeted staff members on several occasions either stationary or travelling with upbeat music and offered a healthy snack or clementines as well as a bottle of water. Several times they were greeted at door and started their day dancing down the halls with their goodies for the day. Seeing the smiles and happiness on staff members’ faces was the best part. In addition, at Christmas time the cart was used to play a fun game with giveaways and healthy snacks. The committee utilized CDC healthy strategies such as choosing drinks wisely: try and choose water over sugar-induced drinks that have adverse effects on our health. In addition, eating healthier foods by using whole grains, adding more vegetables into the diet, etc. March was National Nutrition Month and this was a focus for staff as well as usual for students. With the Woot! Woot! Wagon! we want our staff to feel positive about themselves and cope well with everyday pressures. The cart allows us to encourage, acknowledge, and educate staff on healthy behaviors and mindfulness.

Celebrating Our Students!

This year, Frog Pond was once again a proud recipient of the AtlantiCare Healthy School Grant for $750. This generous grant has supported our Student of the Month recognition program. The funding allowed us to purchase meaningful rewards for students who demonstrated outstanding behavior, academic achievement, and positive character traits. Through this initiative, we’ve not only celebrated individual successes but also strengthened our entire school culture.

The AtlantiCare School Health Survey helped us identify key areas for improvement—namely, school climate, student engagement, and positive behavior. We have been able to recognize students across all four grade levels and homerooms throughout our school. Recognizing Students of the Month has helped reinforce positive choices and has provided a consistent way to highlight and reward the values we want to see in our community—students being safe, respectful, responsible, and displaying academic effort.

Families are excited to be involved with our school and proud of their children’s achievements. This program brings a sense of pride and unity to our school, showing that when we invest in recognition and positivity, everyone benefits.

We are grateful for the resources provided by this grant and are excited to continue building a school where every student feels seen, supported, and inspired to do their best. We look forward to expanding these efforts and hope to continue growing programs that promote mental wellness, social-emotional learning, and even stronger family partnerships in the future.