Van Tech WIN: A
Collaborative School-Based
Wellness Initiative
Presented by:
Leann Buteau
Derek Roelofsen
Kathy Romses
Vancouver Technical Secondary
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Located in east Vancouver
3rd largest secondary school in Vancouver
1620 students enrolled
Surrounding neighbourhoods have the highest
proportions of vulnerable youth
• Multiple different special programs and
initiatives to help meet diverse learning needs
Coming Together
• School-led, student-focused initiative
The Background
Engaging the School Community
Students
Wellness
Initiative
Parents
Staff
Reflection and Dialogue
Prioritization
Wellness Promotion and Capacity Building
Bringing Together Research and
Practice
Concurrent streams
• Research – longitudinal
• Annual wellness survey – feed into school goals and
action
• Grassroots wellness promotion and capacity
building
Wellness Survey
• Developed collaboratively to reflect the needs
of the Van Tech community
• Example survey items:
depressive symptoms, academic workload,
social-emotional learning, sleep, food
security, self injury, student-staff
relationships
Focused Action
Sleep
Hygiene
Food Security
Food Security
• Approximately 25% of students report food
insecurity
Food Security
• Student-led collaboration and action planning
– Breakfast program
• Capacity building, and engaging community
resources
– Outreach to families
Vancouver Food Asset Map
Vancouver Food Asset Map
• Provide a tool for locating community food
assets that is current, user friendly, and easily
updated
• Build community capacity and support food
access for community members dealing with
food insecurity
• Make it easier for community partners to view
and utilize community food assets strategically
In the Long-term
• Integrate social-emotional wellness into the
daily life of Van Tech students and staff
• Support and improve school connectedness
among Van Tech students
• Enhance student success
• Create a sustainable, wellness-promoting
school environment
Thank you!
Questions? Comments?
[email protected]