Two students posing together on the playground

Health & Wellness

We are dedicated to nurturing the holistic well-being of every child, recognizing that physical, mental, and emotional health are essential to lifelong success and fulfillment. We strive to foster a Wellness Culture that extends beyond the classroom and is woven into every aspect of our school community.

Our approach to wellness is grounded in intentional integration and collaboration between the education and health sectors. Guided by the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) Model, we prioritize the development of each child’s cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being.

This student-centered framework highlights the powerful connection between health and academic achievement, the vital role of community partnerships in supporting schools, and the use of evidence-based practices to promote student success. Click through the framework categories below to learn more.

Social Emotional Climate

The social and emotional climate of a school shapes students’ experiences and supports their social and emotional growth. It influences how students engage in school activities, build relationships with peers, staff, families, and the community, and succeed academically.
A positive school climate creates a safe, supportive environment where effective teaching and learning can thrive. In turn, this promotes students’ overall health, growth, and development.

Family Engagement

Families and school staff collaborate to support and enhance students’ learning, development, health and well-being.
Engagement is a shared responsibility: school staff work to make families feel welcome and involve them in meaningful ways, while families actively support their child’s growth both at school and in the community.

Student Mental Health Services

Preventive and intervention services support students’ mental, behavioral, and social-emotional health, fostering success in learning.
These services include psychological, psychoeducational, and psychosocial assessments, targeted interventions to address social, emotional, and academic barriers, and referrals to school or community resources as needed.
Certified school counselors, psychologists, and social workers provide these services, collaborating with community partners, like Cartwheel, to reinforce learning and ensure coordinated support.

Nutrition Environment and Services

The school nutrition environment gives students daily opportunities to learn about and practice healthy eating, including access to nutritious foods and beverages, nutrition education, and positive messages across the school campus.
School Nutrition Services provide meals that meet federal standards for the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs, accommodate the health and nutrition needs of all students, and are available to families at no cost.
School meals play an important role in student well-being. They offer a variety of nutrients essential for growth and development, expose children to diverse menu options, and reduce family stress around meal planning.
Research shows that healthy eating during the school day supports learning and helps students reach their full potential.

Health Services & Nurses’ Corner

Nursing and school health services connect students, families, staff, community partners, and healthcare providers to support student health and maintain a safe school environment.
Health services address both immediate and ongoing needs by providing first aid and emergency care, assessing health concerns, and helping manage chronic conditions.
In addition, wellness promotion, preventive services, and education for students, parents, and staff complement these efforts, ensuring coordinated care and a healthier school community.
Integrated services include the LFDCS Food Allergy Protocol and Circle of Support.

Health Education

Health education equips students with the knowledge, attitudes, and skills needed to make health-promoting decisions, achieve health literacy, adopt healthy behaviors, and support the well-being of others.
Instruction covers topics such as mental and emotional health, healthy relationships, substance use prevention, physical health and hygiene, nutrition and balanced eating, public and community health, personal health, and - Grades 5–8 only - sexual health.

Physical Education and Activity

We create environments that provide students with numerous opportunities for physical activity—during school, before and after school, and through engagement with staff, families, and the community.
Physical education teaches motor skills, knowledge, and behaviors that promote healthy active living, physical fitness, sportsmanship, self-efficacy, and emotional intelligence.
A well-designed program equips students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to remain physically active throughout their lives.

Employee Wellness

Supporting the physical and mental well-being of school employees strengthens the entire school community and, in turn, promotes students’ well-being and academic success.
As powerful role models, staff help shape positive student habits around health and wellness.
Work environments that promote healthy eating, physical activity, tobacco-free lifestyles, stress management, and safe working conditions lead to a stronger, more present, and more resilient school workforce.

Environmental Action & Safety

Environmental action reflects the school’s commitment to strong composting and recycling programs, as well as building a resilient, thriving local community. These efforts are supported through collaboration with groups such as The Green Team, Groundwork Lawrence, Green Streets, and other local and state partners.
The physical school environment also plays a vital role in student learning by ensuring the health and safety of students and staff. This includes the school buildings and their contents, the grounds on which they stand, and the surrounding areas.

Community Engagement

Community groups, organizations, and local businesses partner with schools by sharing resources and volunteering to support student learning, development, and health initiatives.
Students, families, and schools also give back through service-learning projects and by opening school facilities for community use.

Wellness Policy 2026

As part of the required triennial assessment of the School Wellness Policy, conducted in preparation for the upcoming Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Triennial Review of School Nutrition Programs expected in SY 2026–27, LFDCS participated in DESE’s SWITCH (School Wellness Initiative for Thriving Community Health) School Wellness Coaching Program, Tier One: “Perfecting Policy.”

Through this process, the Wellness Committee worked with a DESE coach to assess and revise the Wellness Policy to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements. Activities included two coach-facilitated virtual meetings, completion of the Massachusetts Local Wellness Policy Strength Checklist for Schools, review of the assessment process during a Wellness Committee meeting, and a compliance review of the revised policy by both the School Wellness Coach and a DESE School Wellness Specialist. Based on the assessment results, the Wellness Policy was updated, approved for compliance, and presented to the LFDCS Board of Trustees, which approved and adopted the revised policy on April 8, 2026.

Wellness Policy

Breakfast in the Classroom

Breakfast in the Classroom gives students a chance to start their day with a healthy meal alongside their classmates - helping them feel energized, focused, and ready to learn. It also builds a positive morning routine and a sense of community as students begin the day together.

Breakfast will be served right in the classroom each morning and will include balanced, student-friendly options. To help your child fully enjoy and participate in this experience, we encourage students to have breakfast at school with their classmates whenever possible.

Additional Information

Vaping Awareness Toolkit

Created by the Vaping Awareness Committee, this toolkit brings together a variety of trusted resources, including FAQs, research articles, books, websites, local resources, and videos, to help families better understand the dangers of vaping and to have impactful conversations with their children. The resources are available in both English and Spanish. Please view the toolkit using the button below.

Vaping Awareness Toolkit

Podcast Feature: Cafeteria Confessions

We're excited to be featured on Cafeteria Confessions, a national podcast hosted by Emily Chatelain, CEO of the School Food and Wellness Group. The episode highlights how we're using student voice, sustainability initiatives, and wellness-driven decision-making to reshape the school meal experience. Click on the photo below to tune in!

The Wellness Committee

The Wellness Committee serves as an advisory body that champions and advances our school’s Wellness Culture. Made up of a diverse group of school and community members, the committee works collaboratively to promote, support, and strengthen health and well-being initiatives across our school community. For more information, please visit the Wellness Committee webpage.

The Wellness Committee