MISSIONThe RI Healthy Schools Coalition is committed to making all RI schools healthy places for children to learn, grow and thrive. By leveraging the expertise, resources and inspiration of our partner community organizations, we support Rhode Island schools in sustaining active wellness committees that develop and implement strong, comprehensive wellness policies.
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goalAll Rhode Island school districts will maintain active wellness committees that effectively lead school wellness initiatives and implement strong school wellness policies by bringing together all stakeholders of the school community.
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visionEvery Rhode Island school will sell and serve only nutritious, appealing food and will provide daily, high-quality Physical Education with additional opportunities for physical activity before, during and after the instructional day.
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For an overview on what RIHSC is all about:
Our TEAM
Karin Wetherill, Co-Director karin.wetherill@rihsc.org
Karin works collaboratively with state agencies, community partner organizations, school district leadership and district wellness committees to advance healthy culture change in schools through policies and practices that positively impact health and education outcomes for RI children. Her expertise, community engagement and advocacy helps to build awareness and support for school wellness priorities and systems change.
Karin works collaboratively with state agencies, community partner organizations, school district leadership and district wellness committees to advance healthy culture change in schools through policies and practices that positively impact health and education outcomes for RI children. Her expertise, community engagement and advocacy helps to build awareness and support for school wellness priorities and systems change.
Kelly Swanson, Co-Director kelly.swanson@rihsc.org
Kelly uses her writing, graphic design, website, social media, and administrative skills to coordinate the operation of RIHSC and advance its mission of improving school health environments. She is an active member of the wellness committee in her hometown of Coventry.
Kelly uses her writing, graphic design, website, social media, and administrative skills to coordinate the operation of RIHSC and advance its mission of improving school health environments. She is an active member of the wellness committee in her hometown of Coventry.
Jane Vergnani, Steering Committee Co-Chair
Jane is Youth Leadership Program Coordinator with the New England Dairy & Food Council and has served as Co-Chair of RIHSC since 2013. She regularly works with RI school wellness leaders to support student-led nutrition and physical activity initiatives through the National Dairy Council and NFL’s Fuel Up to Play 60 program. Jane is a member of the district wellness committee in her hometown of North Kingstown.
Jane is Youth Leadership Program Coordinator with the New England Dairy & Food Council and has served as Co-Chair of RIHSC since 2013. She regularly works with RI school wellness leaders to support student-led nutrition and physical activity initiatives through the National Dairy Council and NFL’s Fuel Up to Play 60 program. Jane is a member of the district wellness committee in her hometown of North Kingstown.
Mary Anne Roll, Steering Committee Co-Chair
Mary Anne is a member of the Lincoln School Committee and President of the RI Association of School Committees (RIASC). She has been a member of the RIHSC steering committee since 2015 and became Co-Chair in 2016. Her fifteen years as Program Manager for Cumberland School Volunteers and her tenure on the Lincoln School Committee provide the Coalition with valuable expertise and perspective.
Mary Anne is a member of the Lincoln School Committee and President of the RI Association of School Committees (RIASC). She has been a member of the RIHSC steering committee since 2015 and became Co-Chair in 2016. Her fifteen years as Program Manager for Cumberland School Volunteers and her tenure on the Lincoln School Committee provide the Coalition with valuable expertise and perspective.
2023 RIHSC Steering Committee
Erin Dube, School Committee Chair, Pawtucket Public Schools
Natalie Fleming, Director of SEL & Mental Health, Providence Public Schools
Heidi Hetzler, Program Coordinator, URI SNAP-Ed
Ayana Melvan, Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships for Mission Programs, Mystic Aquarium
Linda Mendonca, State School Nurse Consultant, RI Department of Health
Solange Morrissette, District Manager, Chartwells
Deborah Obalil, President & E.D., Association of Independent Colleges of Art & Design/Parent
Deirdre O’Donnell, Grant Manager, South Country Prevention Coalition
Jessica Patrolia, Coordinator Child Nutrition Programs, RI Dept. of Education
Erin Dube, School Committee Chair, Pawtucket Public Schools
Natalie Fleming, Director of SEL & Mental Health, Providence Public Schools
Heidi Hetzler, Program Coordinator, URI SNAP-Ed
Ayana Melvan, Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships for Mission Programs, Mystic Aquarium
Linda Mendonca, State School Nurse Consultant, RI Department of Health
Solange Morrissette, District Manager, Chartwells
Deborah Obalil, President & E.D., Association of Independent Colleges of Art & Design/Parent
Deirdre O’Donnell, Grant Manager, South Country Prevention Coalition
Jessica Patrolia, Coordinator Child Nutrition Programs, RI Dept. of Education
Our story
RI Healthy Schools Coalition (RIHSC) was initially formed over ten years ago as an advocacy group committed to stemming the alarming growth of childhood obesity by addressing the school environment. Through a loosely organized membership of community partners, the Coalition brought awareness to the critical role of the school setting to influence improved child health and learning outcomes. With the Coalition’s efforts, regulations governing school district wellness committees and stronger state nutrition standards for school meals and competitive foods/beverages were promulgated.
Over time, with the addition of two staff members and a broader mission to support comprehensive school wellness, the Coalition grew beyond anti-obesity advocacy into a direct-service model providing no-fee guidance and program support directly to school communities for overall school wellness enhancements. Today, RIHSC is the only statewide organization working at the intersection of health and education and our technical assistance for policy and practices, resources and tools, programs, and network access are indispensable to school districts and community wellness advocates. The relationships we’ve built with educators, national and community partners and state and federal agencies ensures a collaborative approach to prioritizing a “healthy whole child” vision within all schools.
Over time, with the addition of two staff members and a broader mission to support comprehensive school wellness, the Coalition grew beyond anti-obesity advocacy into a direct-service model providing no-fee guidance and program support directly to school communities for overall school wellness enhancements. Today, RIHSC is the only statewide organization working at the intersection of health and education and our technical assistance for policy and practices, resources and tools, programs, and network access are indispensable to school districts and community wellness advocates. The relationships we’ve built with educators, national and community partners and state and federal agencies ensures a collaborative approach to prioritizing a “healthy whole child” vision within all schools.