SMSD Honored for Workplace Wellness

The Shawnee Mission School District is a 2021 HealthyKC Certified Organization. SMSD was honored with the highest designation, Platinum, and joins 132 business across greater Kansas City given this recognition.

This certification program recognizes organizations based on five pillars of health: healthy eating, active living, tobacco cessation, work-life integration, and design-built environment. This year’s Workplace Wellness Certification had a specific focus on what policies and measures businesses implemented to ensure the health and wellbeing of their workforce, as well as creating a more inclusive and equitable environment to ensure employees’ mental health.

One of Shawnee Mission’s strategies is to create the climate to cultivate quality educators so they flourish in pursuit of our mission to help learners achieve their full potential. Staff wellbeing is an important area of action toward this goal.   

“The Shawnee Mission School District continues to show the many ways it is SMSD strong,” Dr. Michael Schumacher, associate superintendent of human resources said. “We are proud to be honored for innovation and excellence in promoting a culture of health in the workplace. This is a reflection not only of the many ways Shawnee Mission has worked to create a healthy workplace, but also of the actions of our staff to take action and promote wellness throughout our community.” 

Achieving the platinum designation has been a team effort from all levels and departments of SMSD staff and community partners, Tammie McCoy, wellbeing coordinator expressed. Shawnee Mission will continue to look for ways to better serve the staff and families in SMSD to support a thriving lifestyle.

“District leadership has recognized the importance of overall wellbeing of staff and thus has supported programs that promote the health and wellbeing of employees and their family members,” McCoy added. “However, the main reason these programs and benefits have been successful is because the SMSD staff have shown they want to thrive by being engaged in the programs and services offered to them.”

The Shawnee Mission School District is Platinum Healthy KC Certified. In a congratulatory letter, Joe Reardon, president and CEO stated that SMSD approaches wellbeing from a holistic viewpoint, recognizing it is not just about programs or challenges, but creating an environment where employees can thrive.

“You continued to prioritize health and wellness, finding success under each pillar in the Healthy KC model,” Reardon stated in a letter. “Achieving Platinum certification is no small feat and requires extensive work and dedication. You have taken your efforts to the next level where most others haven’t.”