Fond du Lac Reporter: Blue Zones Project Dodge County held a ribbon-cutting celebration on Friday, April 20, for Horicon School District, the newest worksite to become Blue Zones Project Approved.
This achievement is the second step in their goal of becoming the first school district in Dodge County to earn recognition as both a Blue Zones Project Approved worksite and having all schools earn Blue Zones Project Approved recognition.
District Administrator of Horicon Schools Rich Appel said, “A healthy and happy staff is a more productive staff and will live longer and healthier.”
To earn this designation, Horicon staff formed a wellness committee and chose to implement evidence-based best practices such as enhancing the physical environment and forming a wellness leadership team to improve well-being for employees. For example, research shows that fewer than 50 percent of Americans find meaning at work.
Worksite environment can have a significant impact on well-being. At least half of the available items in the onsite vending machines fall within the USDA Smart Snacks standards.
Bicycle racks are available for both student and staff use, and showers are available at the schools. Staff are provided with desk stretches and can schedule micro breaks on their calendars to remind them to get up and move if they spend long periods of time in front of a computer and sitting.
