SENATE BILL 532

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

Gerald Ortiz y Pino

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS; IMPLEMENTING THE WIN WITH WELLNESS PILOT PROJECT TO EXPLORE THE FEASIBILITY OF A WELLNESS CURRICULUM IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. A new section of the Public School Code is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] WIN WITH WELLNESS PILOT PROJECT--PURPOSE--STATEWIDE IN SECOND AND FIFTH GRADES.--

          A. The "win with wellness" pilot project shall explore the feasibility of a wellness curriculum in public schools by developing and implementing a four-lesson wellness curriculum for second and fifth grade students statewide. The purpose of the pilot project is to demonstrate that a concentrated focus on wellness taught to students, with information readily available for parents as well, will have a positive effect on New Mexico health outcomes, help prevent drug and alcohol addiction and save lives.

          B. The department shall appoint a curriculum development leader who has knowledge of health-related topics and of elementary education. The curriculum development leader shall select personnel from within the department and the department of health to serve on an ad hoc committee to design materials for the win with wellness curriculum.

          C. The ad hoc committee shall create original lessons appropriate for each grade level. The lessons shall include an active participation element and reading, mathematics and science learning opportunities. The lessons shall be approved by the department of health.

          D. The win with wellness curriculum shall consist of four printed lessons for each grade and teacher's guides that will be distributed to all public elementary schools for second and fifth grade students and their teachers. The four trial lessons shall be printed in color on postcard stock on one side and be laminated so it will be easy to take home and share with parents and other family members.

          E. The selection of the curriculum development leader and the ad hoc committee members shall occur before June 30, 2015. The eight-lesson design shall be completed, with department of health approval, by October 15, 2015. The lessons shall be printed by November 15, 2015 and appropriate quantities shall be delivered to all public elementary schools. The classroom study shall begin in January 2016 and continue through May 2016 as individual schools determine.

          F. The department shall provide an evaluation form to all second and fifth grade teachers and elementary principals to determine whether the win with wellness pilot project should be expanded to other grades; continued in second and fifth grades for a longer period, with or without revisions to the lessons; or terminated. If the department determines that the lessons should be revised, the ad hoc committee shall follow through with the revisions. If the department determines that the win with wellness pilot project should be continued or expanded, the department shall include a request for funding in its September budget request."

     SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION.--Seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the public education department for expenditure in fiscal year 2016 to conduct the win with wellness pilot project. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2016 shall revert to the general fund.

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