Smore logo
remove_red_eye 6.6K
page background

BPS Wellness

BPS Wellness
BPSWellness

Spring 2026 Spring 2026

Welcome to the BPS Wellness Newsletter, brought to you by the District Wellness Advisory Committee. We hope to keep the BPS community informed about current wellness activities happening around the district, to provide tips and ideas to promote wellness at school and at home, and to engage the community to be active in their own wellness!

User uploaded image
zoom_out_map

District Wellness Advisory Committee: Who we are and What we do

The District Wellness Advisory Committee participates in the development, review, updating, and implementation of the Local District Wellness Policy and Wellness Guidelines. The Wellness Committee members include school administration, a school committee representative, school nurses, food services, teachers, members of the community, students and parents.


The committee meets four times a year and develops annual goals to positively impact the health and wellness of the BPS community. This newsletter is one of our goals for this school year to increase communication and share important wellness information and tips with parents, guardians and community.


Co-Chairs:

Alicia Bryant - Director of Health Services

Madi Campagna - District Food and Nutritional Director

Save the Date! Screen Free Week Save the Date! Screen Free Week

May 4th - 8th, 2026 May 4th - 8th, 2026

User uploaded image
zoom_out_map

Join BPS in celebrating Screen Free Week 2026

What is Screen Free Week?

Screen-Free Week is a worldwide event, held the first week in May, which aims for kids and families take a break from entertainment screens and experience more peace, connection, and fun!


Anyone can participate! Simply choose the platforms/apps/devices most problematic for you or your family, set a goal (take an hour off, a day, or the whole week!) and enjoy the free time that opens!


BPS Screen Free Week

Be on the look out for special events happening at the schools during Screen Free Week!


Library offerings around town during Screen Free Week


Sunday, May 2nd

Osterville Public Library

Community reader and sports enthusiast, Audrey Burke

10:00 am


Monday, May 4th

Sturgis Public Library

Bracelet Making

4:00 p.m.


Thursday, May 7th

Centerville Public Library

Spring Craft

4:00pm- 6:00pm


Friday, May 8th

Osterville Public Library

Brick Builders Club

3:45pm- 4:45pm


Saturday, May 9th

Osterville Public Library

Story time with author, Kate Lynch

10:00 am

Get Active! Benefits of Physical Activity Get Active! Benefits of Physical Activity

Benefits of Physical Activity for Children

  • Improves attention and memory.

  • Reduces risk of depression.

  • Builds strong muscles and endurance.

  • Improves blood pressure and aerobic fitness.

  • Helps maintain normal blood sugar levels, sometimes called cardiometabolic health.

  • Reduces risk of several chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes and obesity.

  • Strengthens bones.

  • Helps regulate body weight and reduce body fat.

*U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Ideas to be physically active from third graders at West Villages Elementary:

🌳 Play outside - Playgrounds on Cape Cod, Beaches and playgrounds in Barnstable

πŸ•Ί Dance party - create a playlist and dance

πŸ₯· Ninja Forte Fitness, Xtreme Athletics

πŸ‘― Dance classes Beth Walsh Dance Center, Dance Designs

🚲 Ride your bike - bike trails

πŸšΆπŸ»β€β™‚οΈ Go for a walk - hiking ideas

🏈 Flag football - Barnstable Recreation, Cape Cod Youth Flag Football

🎾 Tennis - Barnstable Recreation, Kings Grant Tennis, Mashpee Recreation Tennis Program with Coach Kathryn Olsen, Mid Cape Tennis Program

⚽ Soccer - Barnstable Recreation, Barnstable Youth Soccer

🀸 Gymnastics - Cape Cod Gymnastics, Flip Flops Gymnastics

πŸƒ Track - Barnstable Recreation, Launch Track and Field

πŸ₯‹ Jiu Jitsu - Daniel Gracie

πŸ›Ά Outdoor adventures like kayaking, paddle boarding - Ride away adventures


Here is a working list of organizations that offer different opportunities for movement, including potential funding assistance. This list is meant to be a resource, it has not been vetted and it is not an endorsement of the organizations. If you know of an organization that should be included, please email Susan Fishback at fishback_susan@mybps.us.

Hydration - Why Water is So Important Hydration - Why Water is So Important

User uploaded image
zoom_out_map

Water is the best fuel for a student's body and brain. Just like a plant needs water to grow, children need water to learn, play, and feel their best every day.

  • Better Focus: Water helps the brain stay sharp. It makes it easier to listen to the teacher and finish homework.

  • Happy Moods: Not drinking enough water can make kids feel grumpy or tired. Drinking water helps them stay energized and happy.

  • Healthy Bodies: Water helps the body move easily. It keeps muscles ready for gym class and recess.


How Much to Drink?

A good rule is to drink 5 to 8 cups of water every day. If it is a very hot day or if your child is running a lot, they may need even more.


Top Tips for Parents and Teachers

  1. The "Desk Buddy": Encourage students to keep a reusable water bottle on their desk. Visual cues are the most effective way to remind children to sip throughout the day.

  2. Infuse for Flavor: If plain water is a "tough sell," try adding slices of cucumber, strawberries, or mint to make it more appealing without adding sugar.

  3. Monitor the Signs: Teach kids to recognize signs of dehydration, such as dry lips, a headache, or dark-colored urine.

  4. Thirst = dehydration: If your child feels thirsty, their body is already asking for help. Try to have them sip water throughout the day before they feel thirsty!


Did You Know?
About 20% of our daily water intake actually comes from food. Packing "hydrating snacks" like watermelon, oranges, and celery can help students reach their goals.

Department Highlight: Food Services Department Highlight: Food Services

This edition, we would like to introduce you to Madi Campagna, our new Director of Food Services and co-chair of the Wellness Committee.

From Madi: "As the Food Service Director for Barnstable District, I bring over six years of specialized experience in school nutrition and high-volume community feeding programs. With a degree in Food & Beverage Entrepreneurship from Johnson & Wales, I specialize in driving student participation through creative, data-driven menu development. Most notably, I previously led the YMCA Cape Cod’s CACFP/SFSP initiatives, overseeing the successful distribution of over 17,000 meals in a single summer. I am committed to maintaining top-tier operational excellence while fostering a 'student-first' dining culture in Barnstable."


We look forward to working with Madi and seeing her ideas come to life!

Food Services

Food Services - Barnstable Public Schools

launch barnstable.k12.ma.us

Click below for our district breakfast and lunch menus:

Be sure to bookmark for future reference!

FD MealPlanner

A meal planning app for food delivery

launch fdmealplanner.com

Summer Eats - Coming soon to a playground near you! Summer Eats - Coming soon to a playground near you!

The food services department is busy planning the BPS Summer Eats program, and are revamping it with the mindset of meeting families where they are during the summer!

Summer Eats locations are being planned at playgrounds around town from 11:30-12:30, Monday through Friday for anyone aged 18 and younger to come hang out, eat lunch, play on the playground, and to enjoy what our community has to offer. Locations are to be determined, and will be announced in early June on the Food Service Website.


Please note that Summer Eats is not a "grab and go" service; children must be present to receive the meal and are expected to enjoy it at the pick up location.

Summer Eats | Free Meals for all Kids and Teens in MA

All kids and teens in Massachusetts, ages 0-18, can receive free meals at any Summer Eats site in the state. No registration or identification required. Find a site near you!

launch projectbread.org

Food Services' Civil Rights Statement

Food Celebrations Food Celebrations

Please check with your child's school before sending in food for any type of celebration. We encourage non-food celebrations for the safety, wellness and equity of all of our students.

NON-FOOD CELEBRATION IDEAS

🎁 PRIZES

* Pencils or erasers

* Stickers

* Books

*Tickets toward a larger prize

*Coloring books


πŸƒπŸ»β€β™‚οΈ PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

* Lead a special physical activity break

* Extra recess or PE time

* Host a kite flying day or dance party

* Have a themed parade


πŸŽ‰ SPECIAL EVENTS

* Let students be a teacher's helper

* Invite a guest to read aloud

* Go on a scavenger hunt

* Hold a pajama or hat day


πŸ… RECOGNITION

* Give a certificate or ribbon

* Post a sign in the classroom or a bulletin board

* Give a shout-out during morning announcements

* Allow child to wear a special crown or sash

Wellness Committee Website
Alicia Bryant MSN, RN, NCSN
Director of Health Services; co-chair of Wellness Committee
Loading indicator

close

Created with

Communicate quickly and effectively with interactive newsletters.

Smore empowers educators to connect with their community, streamline school communications,
and increase engagement.

Create a newsletter