September 8, 2026 by Taylor Walsh And into state and national policy decisions on K12 education whole child health and community initiatives. A JOINT STATEMENT As schools and their communities wrestle with many ideas to improve the U.S. public school system and the prospects for their young people, it is important that no matter the innovation or option adopted, the commitment to strengthen students’ wellbeing, vitality, and resilience must become as central to the purpose of schooling as math and language arts. This is the case being made in the Joint Statement released June 24, 2026, and updated on September 8, 2026: On the Urgency of Including the Positive Outcomes of US School-based Practices that Support Whole Child and Adolescent Wellbeing in National and State Education and Child Health Policies The Statement is signed by colleagues who advance practices in K12 gardens, mindfulness, physical activities, teaching kitchens and nutrition education, art, outdoor learning and green schoolyards. The September update includes an appendix of brief narratives describing both student and school experiences with those Whole Health Learning practices, and representative research studies in each. See more and a link to the Joint Statement here