HAPPY!

typical, traditional health class,” Gehlert says. “It’s much more robust, much more thorough and exhaustive. It includes character, how to be socially responsible, how to be a good teammate and have a positive body image. It’s a far cry from what we experienced growing up.”

Peace Week

New Albany High School’s Peace Week was created in response to the shootings at Columbine High School in 1999 and has since expanded its focus to include the best aspects of the NAHS culture, Principal Ric Stranges says.

“It’s truly a week of thanking the students and the staff for helping us keep New Albany High School a safe place,” Stranges says.

Peace Week is now a celebration involving art, music, literature – and health and wellness. During Peace Week 2012, scheduled for April 23-27, students will participate in the Peace Games, similar to the Olympic games, with 32 competitions among the school’s eight houses, such as the “Tug of Peace,” instead of a tug of war game. Not all the events are physical; some, like the writing contest, are intellectual.

A few years ago, Stranges introduced a 5K run/walk into the mix, rounding out the week. In 2011, the event had about 300 participants. This year’s run/walk will also be open to students and faculty from the elementary and middle school. Stranges’ eventual goal is to have as many as 4,000 students, teachers and community members show up for the run, which starts on

Market Street, goes out to the New Albany Country Club and ends in the high school stadium.

“I love to run … not only to stay healthy, but stay happy,” says Stranges, who injured his knee in January while training for a marathon and faced surgery. He hopes to be fully recovered in time for the Peace Week 5K.

“When you are involved in a community that promotes, supports and advocates for wellness, you just want to be a part of that. As a leader, you model those kinds of healthy choices and healthy activities,” he says.

“The idea of having a safe school is you do safety from the inside out. Having students feel like they’re a part of the high school and connected to the high school makes it a safer place and a healthier place.”

Lisa Aurand is editor of Healthy New Albany Magazine. Feedback welcome at editor@healthynewalbany.org

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By Scott McAfee initiatives