Partners for a Healthier Community


	Wellness Center, Durfee High School Action Plan Participant: Fall River Public Schools
	A $350,000 grant to the Fall River Schools will enable the physical education program to move traditional physical education away from a sports based emphasis to a wellness model. A wellness center will be constructed at B.M.C. Durfee High School to provide physical health and fitness instruction to students using personal fitness equipment. The program will provide a personal health assessment for each student and will establish and monitor personal fitness goals.

Priority Area:	Health Education
Priority Sub-Area:	3, B) Physical fitness education
Goal:	To increase the percentage of high school students engaged in personal wellness and increased physical fitness.
Method(s):	A mandatory fitness/wellness class for all freshmen and sophomore students. Fitness center membership plan for after-school hours.
Timeline:	Facility construction – May/June 2004 Equipment purchase and set-up – June/July 2004 Staff training – Summer/Fall 2004 Curriculum implementation – Sept 2004
Indicators:	Improved student personal fitness scores Increased use of fitness center after school hours.
Progress:	Thirty-five weight and cardiovascular fitness machines, with state-of-the-art Polar heart monitoring equipment, now make the new Durfee Wellness Center the ideal location for teaching students the importance of lifelong fitness. A curriculum was developed and physical education staff now help every student design their own personal fitness plan.
How citizens can get involved:	How citizens can get involved: Support physical education requirements for all students. Encourage continued funding for equipment upkeep and to staffing for after school hours.
Contact Information:	Sue Sterrett, Health Education Coordinator, 508-675-8430 or ssterrett@fallriver.k12.ma.us or Jerry Valente, Director of Health and Physical Education