Student Wellness:
Student wellness policies are governance decisions that directly impact academic performance, school climate, and long term student success. At First State Educate, we support school leaders in using data and best practices to promote physical, mental, and emotional well being so students are healthy, supported, and prepared to learn across Delaware’s public schools.
This page features national policy news and research related to school climate and discipline to help you stay informed about trends, best practices, and emerging issues. Read the article summaries and access the articles via the buttons below. Explore current conversations, understand how other states and districts are approaching these topics, and consider how these insights may inform governance decisions in Delaware.
Maryland - Carroll County School District
The Carroll County Board of Education is seeking public comment on updates to policies related to student health services, exclusion and physical restraint, and first aid protocols—encouraging transparency and community feedback in decisions affecting student well-being.
California – Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District
Bay Area districts like Mountain View-Los Altos and Oakland Unified are expanding peer-to-peer counseling, where trained students confidentially support classmates with stress, academics, and social challenges. These programs don’t replace licensed therapy but provide an accessible layer of support for students.
Florida – Santa Rosa County School District
Bay Area districts like Mountain View-Los Altos and Oakland Unified are expanding peer-to-peer counseling, where trained students confidentially support classmates with stress, academics, and social challenges. These programs don’t replace licensed therapy but provide an accessible layer of support for students.
Nevada - Carson City School District
The Carson City School Board approved a food service agreement, finalized its insurance pool package, and passed updates to its wellness policy during its latest meeting.
Montana – Missoula County Public School Districts
The nonprofit AWARE is expanding its school-based mental health services into more schools in Missoula County, Darby and Stevensville in the Bitterroot, and now into Butte (elementary & high schools). Staff will be present in school buildings to help students in crisis stay connected to learning, plus offer services outside school, like in the home or via case management.
Texas– El Paso Independent School District (EPISD) & Socorro Independent School District (SISD)
Cafeteria staff at EPISD and SISD are adapting to new USDA nutrition guidelines by preparing diverse, culturally relevant meals for students. At Mesita Elementary, staff prepare over 500 breakfast sandwiches daily, while at Eastlake Middle School, the team serves birria tacos and chicken salad. These efforts aim to meet nutritional standards while reflecting the community's culinary preferences.
Pennsylvania - Philadelphia City School District
The Philadelphia Board of Education approved a revised wellness policy and took action on charter oversight by initiating nonrenewal for two schools. The decisions reflect an increased focus on student well-being and accountability.
Tennessee – Hamilton County School Board
The board voted down a proposed agreement with Centerstone, a provider of school-based mental health services. Supporters argued the program would help students both in school and at home, while opponents raised concerns about accountability, ideology, and the lack of familiarity with Centerstone’s staff and philosophy.
Idaho – Boise and West Ada School Districts
Facing rising meal debt, Idaho school districts like Boise and West Ada are turning to community donations to cover unpaid balances. In West Ada, a grant from nonprofit Hoops 4 Hunger covered about 30% of a $178,000 deficit, while Boise Schools Foundation and other donors paid off nearly $100,000 in meal debt. However, smaller districts such as McCall-Donnelly lack fundraising foundations and rely on local support to manage meal debt.