CHANGING CULTURE

Shannen Byrne
Lydia Garrison
Ashley Hart
Connor Humphreys
Kaela Isaacson
Jaime Melnick
Emily Patton
Matthew Pompa
Arizona State University
Changing Culture
November 8, 2016
Dr. Hesse

CHANGING CULTURE

Changing the Culture

Apple Elementary prides itself on enriching the lives of our staff and students, as
well as ensuring we are providing a safe, healthy, and active workplace. We have
pursued an interest in promoting healthy and active programs designed with a holistic
approach in mind. With the help of incentives, we hope to spark the interest of all team
members to increase participation amongst our staff with healthy outcomes. We are
interested in meeting the needs of our employees by using a holistic approach to increase
healthy lifestyles, decrease health risks, and limit the health insurance costs to our
company.
Understanding that obesity is a concern within our community, we have devised
many physical and nutritional strategies to combat this health risk. For example, offering
meditative yoga courses afterschool/work, creating walking clubs during breaks, and
hosting nutritional potlucks incentive programs we will launch at Apple Elementary.
Emily has taken charge of promoting these activities, providing information on obesity
health risks, and gaining support and participation from staff members through our
incentive programs, which include longer prep, time for classes. Understanding that many
of our employees may be involved in primarily sedentary work throughout their day we
were encouraged to devise plans to help them make time for stretching, walking, and
engage in movement by hiring more Instructional assistants. A simple strategy we hope
to implement involves designating stretch breaks into their day, which can be done in the
classroom by teachers and their students, in the office where staff members encourage
group participation, or on break periods for a boost of energy. Research has suggested,

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people who sit a lot during the day dont live as long as people who are more active
(Jio, 2012). We will also provide incentives, such as an early retirement program, to
spark interest and gain further participation. Mathew will be in charge of promoting,
applying, and constructing this program for our staff members.
While physical activity aids in preventing and combating obesity, it also increases
cognitive function, engagement, and motivation. Studies have shown individuals who
participate in physical activity at least twice a week are at a lower risk of dementia, as
well as benefit from benefit from the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)
in the brain. Not only does exercise increase BDNF, but it also increases the expression
of genes associated with plasticity (McCracken, 2015). Individuals also become more
engaging due to their increase of energy, improved mental health and mood, as well as
their improved ability to engage in daily activities. Motivation is also increased in
individuals who engage in physical activity, especially when using tools such as Fit Bits
or alternative tracking devices. Evidence continues to accumulate that pedometers are
practical, accurate, and acceptable tools for measurement and motivation in physical
activity (Tudor-Locke, 2002, p. 9). The use of Fit Bits has become a popular tool for
staff members to motivate themselves and encourage their team to remain active, focus
on their overall health, and participate in regular physical activities. Kaela will focus on
gathering groups for walking challenges that use tracking devices as a form of
motivation, dedication, and fun.
Studies have shown health insurance costs for companies have risen due to
employee lifestyle factors, which include obesity, smoking, heart disease, diabetes, and
age-related illnesses (Banner Urgent Care, n.d.). The overall health and wellness of our

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employees is our main priority, however it is also important to understand and be aware
of how our insurance costs are being affected due to poor health measures. Incorporating
wellness programs to assist employees in living healthier lifestyles is a concept that will
benefit our company, our employees, and our pockets. It was found that "92 percent of
companies with 200 or more employees created workplace health and wellness programs
to offset insurance costs" (Banner Urgent Care, n.d.) Focusing on using a holistic
approach, our team has designed many strategies for social, emotional, physical,
intellectual, spiritual, and nutritional support.
Another factor we have taken into account is meeting the needs of every individual
employed by our school. Lydia has worked hard to design alternative activities or
modifications in order to include those with special needs. For example, if mobility is a
limitation than free weight exercises can be incorporated as well band exercises. While
thinking about school meetings, she has designated ten minutes at the beginning and end
of each meeting to incorporate calisthenics, in order to prepare and account for the
amount of time seated. For those with special needs, she has developed alternative
stretches and assisting methods, such as using the wall for balance, flexibility, and
stability.
Overall, working on incorporating a holistic approach to meeting the health needs
of our employees has become a top priority for us. We are intrigued by the many health
benefits that can be accumulated from these exercises and strategies and are eager to
implement them into our community at Apple Elementary. Providing incentives will be
used to encourage and motivate our employees to become active and lead a healthier
lifestyle. The personal wellbeing of each of our employees is a main concern and we

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hope to provide as much assistance and information as possible to aid them on their
journey of positive wellbeing.

Reference
Benefits of implementing company occupational health services. (n.d). Banner Urgent
Care. Retrieved from https://www.urgentcareextra.com/occupationalhealth/implementing-a-wellness-program/
Jio, S. (2012). Fitness Challenge: Make Work Meetings Active Meetings and Go for a
Walk! Retrieved from: http://www.glamour.com/story/fitness-challenge-make-work-me
McCracken, C. M. (2015). Does lifetime engagement in physical activity affect executive
cognitive function in older adults? Available from ProQuest Dissertations &
Theses Global.
Tudor-Locke, C., & President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, Washington, DC.
(2002). Taking steps toward increased physical activity: Using pedometers to
measure and motivate Distributed by ERIC Clearinghouse.