Springhill Lake Elementary Cultivates Student and Staff Well-Being in Maryland

At Springhill Lake Elementary in Greenbelt, MD, the health and success of the learning community is at the heart of school culture. Serving nearly 900 students and staff, the school has created an environment where caring for adults is recognized as a critical part of student achievement.

In 2025, Springhill Lake was named an America’s Healthiest Schools All-Star, achieving recognition in all nine topic areas. This distinction reflects the school’s comprehensive approach to fostering staff and student health through programs that combine physical activity, nutrition, mental health, and culture-building, supported by Healthier Generation’s framework and resources.

Creating a Culture Where Staff Thrive

Springhill Lake’s award includes recognition in the Cultivating Staff Well-Being topic area, presented by Kaiser Permanente to encourage schools to provide resources for staff breaks, foster relationship-building, and cultivate a culture of gratitude.

“A [staff well-being] program really hits the mark when it sees staff as essential players alongside students,” says Stephanie Kohout-Maguire, physical educator at Springhill Lake. “It’s not just about tossing out the occasional perk but creating an environment where policies, spaces, and culture actively support the physical and mental health of adults, too.”

For more than a decade, the Staff Morale Committee has been driving Springhill Lake’s efforts to uplift and energize employees. Staff have access to nutritional food boxes, a walking club, and a break room stocked with stress-relief art supplies and conversation starter cards. The committee also organizes prizes, kudo boards, games, and staff outings for holidays and year-end celebrations.

“When someone is in need, our team readily steps up to support one another. This strong sense of community is a significant reason why our staff remains with us for so long.” - Stephanie Kohout-Maguire

Fostering Movement, Creativity, and Connection

Kohout-Maguire says movement “improves focus, boosts energy, and supports emotional and academic growth.” Springhill Lake students and staff participate in a variety of programs that encourage physical activity, creativity, and community engagement, including:

• Double Dutch and dance programs, including the nationally recognized Greenbelt SITY Stars initiative.
• Garden Club, where students maintain the school courtyard and connect with nature.
• Walk to School Day, celebrated with the local police department to promote active commuting.
• Stream cleanup days, giving students and staff the opportunity to engage in hands-on environmental stewardship.
• Health Week activities with themes that spark engagement and conversation.
• Physical education that integrates environmental literacy, social-emotional learning, and academic standards.
• Award incentives, from go-karts and carnival celebrations to sock hops and glow stick parties.
• District-supported mental health days and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP).

Building Robust Mental Health Supports

When Kohout-Maguire first joined Springhill Lake, the school had one counselor and a part-time school psychologist. Today, the team includes two full-time school counselors, a clinical counselor, and a full-time school psychologist, ensuring students and staff can access support promptly.

“Whenever we suspect a student may need assistance – whether grieving the loss of a family member, coping with a classmate's deportation, or needing help with social skills – we have someone available that same day to support the child or class,” she says. “This support also helps alleviate some of the emotional burden teachers carry alongside their regular workload.”

Connecting Beyond the Classroom

Alumni engagement also strengthens the school’s culture. Tennis pro Frances Tiafoe and cricket player Lisa Ramjit, both former Springhill Lake students, participate in assemblies and events, inspiring current students to embrace physical activity and achievement.

During Health Week, students and staff take home mementos reflecting the day’s theme — such as “Tireless Thursday” or “Feelings Friday.” This provides conversation starters for families. “For instance, when a student brings home a sleep mask, they excitedly explain to their parents that it’s to help them get better rest because sleep is important,” Kohout-Maguire says. 

Honoring Achievement and Investing in the Future

External recognition and investments in school health programming can validate a school’s efforts and support further improvements. Shakeelah Sutton, project manager at Healthier Generation, partnered with Kaiser Permanente’s Thriving Schools Initiative to establish mini-grant opportunities for America’s Healthiest Schools awardees in Prince George’s County like Springhill Lake. 

“Together, we convened staff from the offices of Student Health and Psychological Services to determine promotion, grant criteria, and distribution,” Sutton says. “The district ultimately supported 13 schools in applying to America’s Healthiest Schools, and awardees received mini grants from Kaiser Permanente to support sustainability of their wellness practices.”

For Kohout-Maguire, being recognized as one of America’s Healthiest Schools is a point of pride and a source of inspiration.

“I am proud of what we’ve accomplished as a school and I’m thankful for the guidance from Healthier Generation. Every year I learn something new that impacts our school for the better. My favorite part of being acknowledged is when all the Healthiest Schools come together to collaborate in person. I get so many ideas from my peers!”

She encourages other schools to start small when investing in staff care. “We used cardstock and a bulletin board to post praises for our colleagues, gave a front parking spot to our staff member of the week, and made a cheesy staff music video. Teachers were eager to find ways to make our school better. These little things grew something magical at our school.”

Learn more about America’s Healthiest Schools:

• Apply for the America's Healthiest Schools award
• View the 2026 Award Guide
• Engaging Staff, Supporting Families: How Shades Mountain Elementary in Alabama is Building a Culture of Health

-By Nicole Blanton, Manager of Culturally Responsive Communications at Healthier Generation