The Continued Implementation and Perceived Impact of an Elementary School Wellness Policy After Extended COVID-19-Related School Closures

Background: Schools play a key role in children's health. Following COVID-19, programs that promote students' well-being are needed more than ever. This study examines the continuation of a wellness initiative in Anchorage, Alaska, in the 2021-2022 school year.

Methods: Interviews were conducted with n = 25 principals and cafeteria managers. Content analyses of the qualitative data were conducted using an immersion/crystallization approach. Codes were grouped to create themes contained under larger domains.

Results: All schools continued aspects of the wellness initiative following COVID-19. Principals and cafeteria managers indicated: recess, movement opportunities, and longer lunch periods are important for mental health, socialization, and relationship building; COVID-19 exacerbated previous challenges with staffing shortages; additional pressure for the academic time made scheduling the wellness initiative challenging; longer lunch periods give younger students time to eat but cause poor behavior in older students which were alleviated through supportive strategies; and 30-minute recess and movement breaks offer more time to move, reset, and focus on schoolwork.

Implications for school health policy, practice, and equity: The study underscores the importance of school administrators integrating wellness initiatives into their policies, with buy-in from school and district leadership.

Conclusions: This study highlights the need for and importance of school wellness initiatives following COVID-19 extended school closures.