TOMS RIVER, NJ -- Toms River Intermediate School South has been chosen to host a four-year pilot program that aims to help improve the health of students and improve how they fare in school as a result.

The Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Health Project is funded by the state Department of Health and is based on the ideas that healthy children learn better; that health and academic achievement are inextricably intertwined, and that schools are an ideal venue for chronic disease prevention. The Toms River school district was encouraged to apply by EmPoWER Somerset, which worked with the district previously to implement a Mobile Breakfast Academy, a successful program funded by a Sustainable Jersey for Schools grant.

EmPoWER Somerset, which partners with the state Department of Health, encourages the prevention of disease, addiction, and poor physical and emotional health with education and resources. The Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child grant award is worth $15,000 over four years.

"We believe the overall health of our students -- physical, mental, and emotional -- is what leads to sustained success and achievement," Superintendent David Healy said. "This grant award ... arrives at a time when we've ramped up our efforts in health and wellness," he said, referencing the partnerships with RWJBarnabas Health and the Toms River Family Health & Support Coalition.

"We're thrilled to be among the first to implement this program and to witness firsthand the impact it will have on our students," Healy said.



The goal is to build and sustain healthy schools for all students. The pilot program was developed in response to the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors' statement, which said there must be support at the adminstrative level and a commitment to change to sustain healthy schools.

Betty Velez-Gimbel, a school counselor who has been with the district for 22 years, will lead the program at Intermediate South, with support from Principal Paul Gluck, K-12 Health/PE Supervisor Debbie Schwartz, and a number of other administrators and school staff.

"Since our inception our staff has always supported the belief that healthy children learn better," Gluck said. "This program commitment will help us sustain a healthy school environment. We look forward to seeing the connection between health and increased academic achievement for all of our Seminole students."

