Opening event for employee wellness initiative kicks off Thursday, August 31
JACKSON, Tenn. - Employees in the Jackson-Madison County School System will receive an added incentive this school year as Superintendent Dr. Marlon King and School Board members announce a new district wellness program focusing on physical activity, self-care, health and nutrition. The weCARE employee wellness initiative kicks off Thursday, August 31, at Oman Arena from 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM, exclusively for school system employees.
“Because we want our employees to provide the best care and support for our students, we have to encourage self-care and incentivize employees to take proper care and support of themselves. This initiative will improve the quality of services our teachers and support staff provide for families,” stated Superintendent King.
The weCARE Kickoff will include a number of exciting activities that focus on nutrition, physical activity and self-care. From salsa and ballroom dancing to yoga sessions, walking, community vendor giveaways, biometric and bone density screenings and more, employees will find plenty to enjoy. As an added bonus, schools will compete for prizes with winners determined by levels of participation.
“Our school leaders are competitive, so we expect some eagerness from our teachers to win the Smoothie King prize for the school with the highest percentage of participation. A number of $50 gift card drawings will also spur attendance as well, and it's for a great cause,” said Dr. Shalonda Franklin, Chief of Social and Behavioral Services. “It was very generous of Gallagher, our benefits provider, to supply us with these incentives.”
Superintendent King’s weCARE initiative is one item in the district’s intentional efforts to increase compensation and incentives for employees. weCARE encourages employees to
C - Connect with others and build meaningful relationships; A - Actively participate in social activities and events; R - Regularly exercise and prioritize physical fitness; and E - Engage in self-care practices to support overall well-being.
“We continue to enter new and bold territory with Dr. King in terms of support, salaries, and this increased emphasis on self-care. I know teachers will appreciate these benefits. Incentivizing physical activity and mental wellness takes employee retention and recruitment to another level, and we’re thankful for it,” said Jackson-Madison County Education Association President Mal Matthews.
Pre-registration for the weCARE Kickoff will be available through My Benefits Channel beginning Monday, August 28th. All employees are encouraged to attend this fun event; please dress comfortably, as most of the activities encourage active participation.
“Be ready to dance. Be ready to exercise, and be ready to have a fun time with your JMCSS family. Dr. King and our Board have raised the bar in terms of employee benefits. The roll out of the weCARE plan is the newest layer of service and support,” Deputy Superintendent Dr. Ricky Catlett said.
