Koochiching County Schools Are Creating a Culture of Wellness

In Koochiching County, wellness isn’t just a buzzword—it’s becoming a way of life. At ISD 362-Northome and ISD 362-Littlefork-Big Falls School Districts, educators, families, and public health partners are working together to create environments where students feel supported, energized, and empowered.

At Northome School, the journey began with a renewed focus on family engagement. It started with updates to the district’s wellness policy and participation in the Local Wellness Policy Community of Practice through MDE (Minnesota Department of Education). Then the school began reaching out through newsletters, virtual workshops, and in-person events, inviting families to walk alongside teachers and students as they developed skills and habits for wellbeing. The response was inspiring: families showed up, asked questions, and expanded on those new skills at home.

Inside the classroom, movement became a daily ritual. Teachers introduced short, structured activity breaks that helped students reset, refocus, and re-energize. And it’s not just fun--it’s  strategic. Students became more engaged, more focused, and more connected to their learning.

Nutrition also took center stage in Northome. From SMART Snack standards to engaging education, students learned relevant and empowering ways to make informed food choices. Food service teams worked to ensure meals were nutritious, culturally inclusive, and welcoming. Students were encouraged to hydrate, wash hands, and take time to enjoy small shifts that added up to a big impact.

Northome also embraced the “Live More, Screen Less” initiative, a digital wellness campaign that sparked meaningful conversations about mental health and screen time. This fall staff will participate in training, families will be invited to workshops, and older students will be encouraged to lead peer-to-peer sessions aimed to help younger classmates navigate the digital world with confidence and care.

Meanwhile, in Littlefork, a different kind of transformation was taking root. With support from the State Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP), Littlefork-Big Falls School expanded their use of the CharacterStrong curriculum, a social-emotional learning program that helps students build empathy, resilience, and emotional intelligence.

Together, Northome and Littlefork are showing what’s possible when wellness is woven into the fabric of school life. These efforts aren’t just meeting goals, they’re building a foundation for lifelong health, academic success, and community connection. And they aren’t isolated efforts—they’re part of a growing movement across Koochiching County to support the whole child. Thanks to the dedication of educators, families, SHIP, and public health partners, that movement is gaining momentum.

By Linnea Imhof, State Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) Coordinator, Koochiching County Public Health

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