Unusual Suspects: The People Inside and Outside of School Who Matter in Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Efforts

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Individuals learn and develop across their lifespan in response to the people with whom they interact in settings, communities, cultures, and experiences. Collaborative research and policy efforts underscore the critical and reparative role of identity-safe, culturally driven, and relationship-rich environments-in classrooms, schools, and communities-for the healthy social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development of all learners. These themes align closely with the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model. METHODS:Collaborative research and policy efforts, combined with the WSCC model make a strong case to elevate the unusual suspects, the settings and people outside of instructional classrooms who are key actors in creating the conditions and relationships that promote student health and well-being. RESULTS:We describe promising cases of efforts aimed at bolstering adult capacity to foster student health and well-being. We also discuss how these types of systemic efforts can move beyond system and program level actors to acknowledge the power of individual-level implementation. CONCLUSIONS:It is time to recognize the systemic efforts, programmatic opportunities, and individual roles adults have in implementing an ideal WSCC model that is aligned with the collaborative research and policy efforts.

Contextualizing the Association Between School Climate and Student Well‐Being: The Moderating Role of Rurality

“…With fewer human resources available in rural schools, comprehensive implementation of these types of programs may be challenging, but user‐oriented toolkits offer helpful steps and actions to support implementation 41 . Rural schools are particularly resourceful at overcoming human resource constraints through enlisting school personnel and community members in multiple, boundary crossing roles; identifying and supporting these critical individuals will be helpful to effectively leverage existing resources while promoting school‐community engagement 42 …”

“…41 Rural schools are particularly resourceful at overcoming human resource constraints through enlisting school personnel and community members in multiple, boundary crossing roles; identifying and supporting these critical individuals will be helpful to effectively leverage existing resources while promoting school-community engagement. 42…”

The Impact of Changes in Physical Education Class Enrollment on Moderate‐to‐Vigorous Physical Activity Among a Large Sample of Canadian Youth

“…Where this cannot be accomplished, we suggest that school administrators and educators should remain committed to engaging high school students in MVPA, as this support has been shown to encourage increased engagement and enrollment in physical education. 33 Further effective strategies may include integrating physical activity into other curriculum areas such as an active break during math class, offering before and after school intramurals, providing verbal encouragement during physical education, and promoting active transportation such as walking to school. 34 Given the circumstances of COVID-19, the pandemic has shifted how some students engage in physical education.…”

“…36,37 Lastly, we suggest that when possible, engage parents in physical education requirements to promote accountability for students who do not have or turn on their computer camera. 33…”

Every School Healthy: Policy, Research, and Action

“…Supported by the emerging knowledge of brain development, they make the argument that these adults are important to true WSCC implementation. 16 …”