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NC DPI »   Districts & Schools »   Classroom Resources »   Academic Standards »   Programs and Initiatives »   NC Healthy Schools

NC Healthy Schools

Healthy Children Learn Better!

Children sitting on a ball field.NC Healthy Schools focuses on improving the health of students and staff by providing coordination and resources within the context of the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model. The goal is to create students who are healthier, in school, in class, and ready to learn. Students who are healthier are more alert, more focused on learning, and miss less school. They not only learn better in every class, but they also learn lifelong healthy behaviors. It just makes sense.

Vision

NC students, staff, and families are healthy, safe, supported, engaged, and prepared for future success.

Mission

Provide support to schools and community stakeholders so they can promote the health, well-being, and success of NC students and staff.

How We Do It

We use the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) framework, and related best practices, to guide our partnerships, priorities, products, and recommendations.

School-Based Mental Health Policy

In June of 2020, Session Law 2020-7 was approved by the North Carolina General Assembly. It is an act to require the state board of education to adopt a school-based mental health policy and to require k-12 school units to adopt and to implement a school-based mental health plan that includes a mental health training program and a suicide risk referral protocol.

School-Based Mental Health Policy Compliance

 

The NC Healthy Schools Team

Ellen Essick, Ph.D.
Section Chief for NC Healthy Schools
ellen.essick@dpi.nc.gov
984-236-2818

Sarah Blanton
Healthy Schools Consultant
sarah.blanton@dpi.nc.gov
984-236-2812

Kisha Bryant, Ed.D

School Counseling Consultant

kisha.bryant@dpi.nc.gov

 

Bernadette Cole
Administrative Specialist for NC Healthy Schools
bernadette.cole@dpi.nc.gov
984-236-2822

 

Burt Jenkins
Healthful Living / Athletics
Burt.Jenkins@dpi.nc.gov
984-236-2816

 

Pachovia Lovett
School Social Work Consultant
Pachovia.Lovett@dpi.nc.gov
984-236-2821

 

Lillian Pinto
Reproductive Health Consultant
Lillian.Pinto@dpi.nc.gov
984-236-2819

 

Susanne Schmal
School Health Partnerships and Policy Consultant
Susanne.Schmal@dpi.nc.gov
984-236-2817

 

Jenifer Simone
School Nurse Consultant
Jenifer.Simone@dhhs.nc.gov
919-218-1095

 

Les Spell
Data and Policy Consultant
Les.Spell@dpi.nc.gov
984-236-2815

Information and Resources

For more information about the work of the Healthy Schools Team and to browse resources, visit our subpages below or on the side-rail:

Athletics

Guidance Standards

Healthful Living

School Counseling

School Health Nurse

School Mental Health Policy

School Social Work

NC Healthy Schools Data

Policy/Legislation

Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child

Programs and Initiatives

  • Character Education
  • Dual Language Immersion
  • Global Education
  • NC Council on the Holocaust
  • NC Healthy Schools
    • Athletics
    • Guidance Standards
    • Healthful Living
    • NC Healthy Schools Data
    • Policy/Legislation
    • School Counseling
    • School Health Nurse
    • School Mental Health Policy
    • School Social Work
    • Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child
  • STEM Education and Leadership
  • United States Senate Youth
  • ESL/Title III
  • PAEMST

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Physical Address:
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
301 N. Wilmington Street
Raleigh, NC 27601-2825
 
Mailing Address:
6301 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-6301 

Phone: 984-236-2100

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