A program designed to create a sense of community and wellness among faculty and staff has been added to Seaside School District’s proposed 2023-24 budget.

With the expiration of an Oregon Education Association grant, the school district has allocated $30,000 for wellness activities, food, supplies and a stipend for wellness coordinators in the coming school year, the district’s business manager Toni Vandershule said.

Employee wellness program co-coordinators Kathryn Zacher and Jenn Gooch came to the Bob Chisholm Community Center on May 3 to share their experience with members of the Seaside Chamber of Commerce during a “Good Morning Seaside” event.

Zacher said the program has four areas of focus: connection, community partnerships, communication and staff well-being.

“One of the benefits of this is that we get opportunities to spend time in our community and build relationships with the community partnerships, and then get out there and have a fun experience in our own town,” Gooch said.

The program, which originated in 2018, was designed to bring educators together for support and friendship outside of the classroom and establish balance in their lives. Former teacher Bob Evans was the original grant writer and wellness coordinator, Vandershule said.

The Oregon Education Association Choice Trust awarded $100,000 to the Seaside School District, with funds to be spent over a five-year period.

Evans moved from the area in June 2021, and Zacher and Gooch took over as program coordinators. The elementary school, middle school, high school and bus barn all have building leaders for the program.

Since families are often included in the events, staff experience a wellness opportunity without sacrificing time away from their families, or other duties that they may have, Zacher said. “This is a way to say, ‘This is important to us as a staff and we’re going to give you the time to do it built into your day,’” she said.

Activities like scavenger hunts or trips to local businesses and attractions provide an opportunity to connect with the community.

A monthly wellness newsletter provides articles on wellness topics, activity schedules and reflections on past programs.

One Wednesday a month is dedicated to staff wellness, with one-hour early dismissals. “Wellness Wednesday” activity choices for May included a visit to a escape room in Astoria, restorative yoga at Living Fit Yoga in Seaside, laser tag and a rope course at High Life Adventure Center.

Other options included fishing at Coffenbury Lake, a cooking class and a neurographic art class.

Events are chosen from staff input, Gooch said. “We send out surveys and we ask them, ‘What do you want to do? Where do you want me to go?’” she said. “It changes and evolves through time. And we’re always trying new things.”