Submitted by: Susan Barndollar, Executive Director, Nursing, Wellness & Mental Health, San Diego Unified School District

San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) is proud to celebrate 10 years of partnership with Live Well San Diego. Over the past decade, this collaboration, anchored by the leadership of Live Well Schools and Deirdre Kleske, has formed the foundation for a healthier school system by strengthening wellness policy, implementation, and infrastructure across California’s second-largest school district. 

The partnership began with a shared vision: to create a school environment where every student and staff member could thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally. One of the most impactful outcomes of this collaboration has been the transformation of the District Wellness Policy, now widely recognized as a model for school systems across the country. In collaboration with the Live Well Schools Team, SDUSD engaged in multiple rounds of policy refinement based on evidence-based frameworks, such as the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model. 

Live Well Schools also led efforts to assess and strengthen policy language through the WellSAT (Wellness School Assessment Tool) in 2017 and 2022. SDUSD’s WellSAT Comprehensiveness Score increased from 83 to 93, while the Strength Score improved from 61 to 77. These metrics reflect the evolution of the policy from general and loosely defined to action-oriented, with clearer language to support implementation and accountability across all schools. 

As SDUSD moves forward under a newly adopted Wellness Board Goal, we are partnering with Live Well Schools to help us refine the next iteration of the District Wellness Policy. Working together will be essential in ensuring that policy stays responsive to the needs of our diverse school communities while supporting inclusive implementation.  

“Live Well San Diego has been an essential thought partner and catalyst in advancing a culture of health across our school system. Their support has helped transform policy into practice..” says Susan Barndollar, Executive Director of SDUSD Nursing & Wellness Department. 

In addition to its role in advancing school wellness, the Live Well at Work initiative has meaningfully supported staff well-being throughout the district. This initiative contributed to the creation of walking paths at central office locations, supported implementation of lactation accommodations at both district and school sites, and promoted a Healthy Meeting Pledge that encourages nutritious food, movement, and mindfulness during meetings. These efforts have fostered a workplace culture that prioritizes the health and well-being of all SDUSD staff, reinforcing the district’s broader commitment to wellness at every level. 

Over the past decade, SDUSD and Live Well San Diego have demonstrated the power of authentic, sustained partnership. Together, we’ve shown what’s possible when public health and public education work together to create healthier and supportive school communities.