Superintendent Dr. Peter C. Gorman was selected as the 2009 North
Carolina Healthy Schools Superintendent of the Year. Gorman was
honored for his leadership, support and commitment to coordinated
school health programs across the district. The award was presented on
Nov. 13 at the North Carolina Alliance for Athletics, Health, Physical
Education, Recreation and Dance (NCAAHPERD) convention in Winston-
Salem. Debra Kaclik, director of arts, health and physical education
and PreK-12 curriculum support programs, and Randolph IB Middle dance
teacher Rebecca Hill were also recognized.
"I am honored to be named Healthy Schools Superintendent of the Year,"
said Gorman. "We know students who live healthy lives do better in the
classroom, and it is important for all areas of education to work
together to support school health."
Gorman was nominated for the award by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School
Health Advisory Council, comprised of school administrators and staff
from a range of CMS departments, the Mecklenburg County Health
Department, parents and other community representatives. Members
represent the eight areas of the district's Coordinated School Health
program: health services, health education, nutrition services,
counseling, psychological and social services, physical education,
staff wellness, family and community involvement and a healthy school
environment. The council works together to support school health,
which improves students' ability to learn.
"Dr. Gorman has been a strong supporter of the Coordinated School
Health program, as well as many other initiatives that encourage
healthy living," said Nancy Langenfeld, school health specialist for
CMS. "Under his leadership, the CMS program has become a model across
the state and country."
Some programs at CMS include:
• The Sports, Play, and Recreation for Kids (SPARK) physical-education
curriculum and Fitnessgram, fitness level testing that includes Body
Mass Index (BMI) measurement. Both are part of the In School
Prevention of Obesity and Disease (IsPOD) statewide initiative.
• The school district's wellness policy and regulations, which was
adopted by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education in 2006. The
policy directed the superintendent to create the School Health
Advisory Council and provides vending restrictions for sugared
beverages and snacks.
• Physical Exercise Together Everyday, or "P.E.T.E.," which Gorman
introduced at the July 2009 CMS Leadership Conference that included
400 district leaders. Gorman and the Carolina Panthers Fit Squad led
exercises to emphasize the link between wellness and performance. The
superintendent also encourages staff to model positive behaviors that
will get students moving and improve their academic performance.
• The Asthma Education Program, which is nationally known and is
featured in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention video
entitled "Creating Asthma Friendly Schools." The program boasts a
unique Asthma on Wheels curriculum for all students in grades four and
six, and Open Airways classes with nurse case management to improve
outcomes and the school environment for students with asthma.
During the conference, Gorman also received the IsPOD Outstanding
Superintendent Award for his commitment to fighting obesity and
disease in school.
Kaclik was named IsPOD Outstanding Healthful Living Coordinator for
her commitment to health and physical education at CMS. Kaclik is a
member of the School Health Advisory Council. She has also been named
North Carolina High School Physical Education Teacher of the Year,
Southwestern 4A Coach of the Year and was a teacher/coach for the
World Scholar Athlete Games.
Hill received the K-12 Dance Educator of the Year Award. Hill helped
launch the dance program at Randolph IB Middle School four years ago.
Her open classroom is for students of all abilities, including those
with severe and profound disabilities. In 2003, she became the first
dance teacher to win the CMS and North Carolina Dance Theatre
Outstanding Educator of the Year Award.
NCAAHPERD is a nonprofit organization of athletics, health, physical
education, recreation and dance professionals working to promote the
health of North Carolinians.
[Photo from the conference. Left to right: Rebecca Hill, Dr. Peter C.
Gorman, Debra Kaclik]
