#SchoolPR Insights Blog

January is when the post-holiday slump hits. Students are returning to school after a long break, and some of them are less than thrilled about it. Teachers and staff might also struggle to find the motivation to tackle another semester. Pair that with cold and flu season, and your community is due for a pick-me-up!

Winter can take its toll physically, mentally and emotionally. But with the right resources, your students, teachers, staff and families will be ready to face anything. Learn how to promote a culture of wellness and put some light back into dreary winter!

Preventing the spread of germs at school

Winter brings more than chilly weather—it also brings a rise in colds, the flu and other seasonal illnesses. School leaders can keep students and staff healthy by educating them about hygiene tips and encouraging them to form healthy habits. Knowledge can greatly reduce the spread of germs at school!

Here’s how to create messaging that keeps your community safe and healthy:

• Share hygiene reminders frequently. Use morning announcements, posters, social media or short videos that explain how to wash hands properly and cover coughs or sneezes. Add visuals to communicate these lessons to younger students.
• Encourage people to get their yearly vaccines. Send out email updates or flyers encouraging families to stay current on flu shots and other recommended vaccines. Include details about nearby clinics and places where community members can receive vaccines for little to no cost.
• Inform families about “stay at home” policies. It’s crucial that parents understand policies surrounding excused absences. Make sure they know when to keep a student home, symptoms to watch out for, and how long the student should wait before returning to school. Make this information easy to access by posting it on the district website.
• Encourage healthy classroom habits. Collaborate with teachers to build hygiene lessons into class time. Students can also work together to wipe down shared surfaces like desks, doorknobs and keyboards.

By communicating regularly about public health, school leaders can reduce the spread of germs—not just during winter, but all year round. Plus, students will learn valuable lessons about hygiene that will stick with them later in life.

Inspiring the community to stay active

Staying active throughout winter can be quite a challenge. The frigid temps and blistering winds are enough to make anyone curl up beneath a mountain of blankets!

Exercise is important all year round, though, and your team can lead the way by promoting fun fitness activities. Engaging communication can motivate students, staff and families to keep moving—even when it’s cold outside.

These strategies can inspire your audience to stay active this winter:

• Promote school-led fitness events. Use your school’s gym to start a winter walking club, or host fitness nights with games for all ages. Spread the word about these events through text alerts, email blasts, newsletters and social media updates.
• Highlight winter-friendly activities. Tell the community how they can participate in seasonal sports like ice skating, hockey, sledding and skiing. Create a “Winter Wellness Challenge” where families can log activities, compete with friends and get recognized for their achievements!
• Share classroom fitness ideas. Partner with teachers to promote movement breaks like stretching, yoga or “brain boost” activities. Post how-to videos on your school’s website, so families can try them at home (or at work).
• Spotlight local recreation programs. Find out when local gyms or community sports leagues are hosting kid-friendly events. Feature these organizations in school emails or social media posts to connect families with fun fitness opportunities beyond school.
• Create a social media fitness campaign. Launch a winter-themed hashtag for families to share photos of their activities! Then, you can recognize participants in newsletters or on school displays, which has the power to motivate others.

Through messaging that’s appropriate for the season, school leaders can inspire their communities to stay active while having fun at the same time.

Promoting mental health services

Winter can be a stressful time for anyone. Long nights, gloomy days and colder weather can make your audience feel more bogged down than usual. Your team plays a vital role in supporting mental health by connecting people with mood-boosting strategies and counseling services.

Here are several proven ways to increase mental well-being among students and staff:

• Highlight school counseling services. Use newsletters to remind students and families about the range of counseling services that are available. Encourage students in need to set up an appointment by listing office hours and contact information for counselors at each grade level.
• Organize wellness check-ins for staff. Schedule regular check-ins where staff can share work-related stress or participate in stress-management workshops. Support your staff members, so they can better support students!
• Offer classroom wellness activities. Teachers can integrate mindfulness exercises, breathing techniques and journaling prompts into the school day—both for themselves and for their students. Promote these activities through teacher meetings or professional development courses.
• Create a mental health resource hub. Create a section on your school’s website advertising mental health hotlines, self-care tips and counseling services outside of school. Update this information as needed, and make it easy to find.

Consistent messaging about mental health creates a culture of support and compassion, making sure students and staff know where to turn when they need help.

Finding ways to relieve stress

Students and staff have a lot to manage! Students juggle schoolwork with friends and extracurriculars, while staff often struggle to find a healthy work-life balance. Your school can help by promoting simple, effective ways to manage stress and encourage self-care.

Share these stress-relieving tips with your community:

• Encourage short breaks throughout the day. Remind teachers to schedule “brain breaks” or movement activities during a lesson. Even a few minutes of stretching or a quick walk can help the whole class reset and recharge!
• Promote mindfulness and relaxation exercises. Share free resources, such as breathing exercises and guided meditation videos, on social media or during the daily announcements. These techniques are effective at reducing anxiety and improving focus.
• Organize a Staff Wellness Day. Plan a teacher in-service day focused on well-being, offering activities like yoga, meditation, mindfulness or stress management workshops. One day of wellness can boost morale for the rest of the year!
• Create a “calm corner” for students. Establish a quiet space where students can take a break or read quietly when they feel overwhelmed. This could be in the counselor’s office, in the library or in another common area with little foot traffic.
• Share weekly self-care reminders. Use school emails or social media to post simple self-care tips, such as “Take a walk outside today” or “Remember to drink water and take breaks.” Small reminders can make a world of difference!

When you promote stress-relief strategies, you create an environment where everyone feels safe and supported, even during the most hectic times of the year.

Which wellness tips will you promote?

Most people know they have to take care of themselves physically and mentally. However, that’s often easier said than done. Sometimes, a student, teacher or staff member needs a gentle nudge in the right direction. Put wellness on their radar, and over time, your consistent reminders will make health and happiness top priorities.