Deborah Soffel

Wellness in the Schools

Wellness in the Schools inspires healthy eating, environmental awareness and fitness as a way of life for kids in public schools across the country. Through meaningful public/private partnerships with school leadership, teachers, chefs, coaches, parents and kids, Wellness in the Schools creates hands-on programs such as Cook for Kids, Green for Kids and Coach for Kids. These programs provide healthy foods, healthy environments and opportunities for regular play to help kids learn and grow. In 2003 a group of concerned public school parents united around the conviction that healthier bodies make healthier minds and that, conversely, unhealthy school environments interfere with student health, school attendance and academic achievement. We had a simple goal: for children to have the best possible environment in which to learn and grow. Wellness in the Schools grew out of that initial goal, and was incorporated as a 501c3 non-profit organization in 2005. WITS believes in the healthy bodies, healthy minds mantra, and in order to shape both we provide two hands-on programs: Cook for Kids and Coach for Kids. We support these programs with the ethos that schools should be as sustainable and environmentally responsible as possible, which is also embodied in the goals of our Green for Kids model. Together these programs create healthier meals, healthier environments and opportunities for regular play and fitness activities.