Skip To Main Content

School Wellness Conference

"Thrive Together: Whole Child, Whole Community"

THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING!

Join us for a two‑day conference focused on strengthening the connections between classrooms, families, and communities in support of a holistic approach to student wellbeing. Together, we will explore what it truly means to nurture the whole school community.

This conference will deepen participants’ understanding of wellness practices while offering opportunities to explore new ideas and build meaningful connections between your work and schoolwide wellness. Attendees will engage with innovative strategies, learn from real‑world examples, and reflect on how to create environments where every member of the school community feels supported, valued, and empowered to thrive.

School Wellness Conference 2026

A group of people, some seated and some standing, are gathered in what appears to be a classroom or study area, with a geometric design on the wall behind them.
A woman in a black suit is standing at a podium, presenting information on a screen behind her.
A woman is standing in front of a group of people, presenting information on a screen behind her in what appears to be a classroom or conference setting.
A person wearing a black top and a patterned skirt is standing in front of a wall with a sign that says %22HUB%22.
The image shows three people, two young individuals and an adult, standing in what appears to be an indoor setting with a window visible in the background.
A group of students gathered in a classroom, with a %22Student Council%22 sign visible in the background, suggesting a student government or leadership meeting.
A group of people, some wearing formal attire, are gathered in what appears to be a hallway or office setting, with a flag visible in the background.
A group of people, some wearing black clothing, are gathered in what appears to be a school or educational setting, with an American flag visible in the background.
A woman holding a certificate in front of a green background with a decorative emblem.
A group of students, some wearing formal attire, are gathered around a table, appearing to be engaged in an activity or discussion.
A group of people, both men and women, are gathered in a classroom or meeting room setting, with a green chalkboard or projection screen visible in the background.
A group of people, some standing and some seated, in a classroom-like setting with a large screen display in the background.
A group of six people, including four women and two men, are standing together in front of a green background with a crest or emblem displayed.
A group of people, likely students, posing together in a classroom setting with a green chalkboard or bulletin board in the background.
A group of people, some seated and some standing, are gathered in a classroom-like setting, with a woman in a red sweater standing at the front and addressing the group.
The image shows a group of people gathered in a classroom-like setting, with a large screen displaying what appears to be a sports-related image or video.
A young woman with long dark hair is holding a certificate in front of a green backdrop with an ornate emblem.
The image depicts a classroom or meeting room setting, with several people seated around a table and a presentation being displayed on large screens at the front of the room.
A group of young women, some holding a sign, gathered in a room with a green backdrop.
The image shows three women standing in front of a green backdrop with a logo, holding a certificate.
The image shows a group of five people standing in front of a green backdrop with a logo, all wearing casual clothing.
The image shows a classroom setting with several people, including two women shaking hands in the foreground, and a large screen displaying what appears to be a presentation or video in the background.
The image shows three women standing together, holding a certificate, in front of a green background with a logo.
The image shows a person in a burgundy sweater standing at a podium in front of a group of people, with a projection screen displaying the word %22SCHOOL%22 in the background.
A group of people, mostly women, gathered in a classroom setting, with a large screen displaying the text %22SCHOOL WELLNESS%22 in the background.
The image shows two women standing in front of an audience, with the audience members visible in the background.
A person is standing at a podium in a room with a large projection screen displaying information, surrounded by chairs and other equipment.
A group of people, mostly women, are seated in a classroom-like setting, listening to a speaker standing at the front of the room, with a large screen display visible behind them.
A woman in a white blazer stands at a desk in an office setting, with a large screen display and various office equipment visible in the background.
The image shows a man standing in front of a presentation slide that displays brain scans and information about how different substances affect the brain.
A man in a black jacket is standing in front of a presentation slide titled %22Roots of Wellness%22 and gesturing while speaking to an audience.
The image depicts a classroom or learning environment with several people seated at tables, facing a front display area with multiple screens or monitors.
A man in a suit stands in a room with a whiteboard and other office furniture in the background.
A group of people, mostly young women, are seated around a large round table in what appears to be a classroom or meeting space, with curtains and other furnishings visible in the background.

Agenda: Day 1

Click to expand each section for full session titles, presenter names, and descriptions. 

Agenda: Day 2

Click to expand each section for full session titles, presenter names, and descriptions. 

Keynote: John Opfer

photo of John Opfer standing in a gym. Photo credit to UB AtBuffalo Magazine, Alumni Life column

Photo credit: University at Buffalo,  AtBuffalo

John Opfer, an internationally recognized biomechanics expert and Director of Proformance Sports Training, brings a rare high‑performance lens to the conversation on student wellness. Drawing on decades of experience training elite athletes around the world, he challenges attendees to look beyond surface‑level fitness and nutrition and toward the deeper mindsets and habits that drive lasting change.

In this keynote, Opfer breaks down the real forces shaping students today, including social media pressure, fast‑food convenience, and declining movement. He explains how these trends influence processing speed, gut health, motivation, and long‑term wellbeing. He also connects these patterns to rising rates of ADHD, diabetes, and autism‑related challenges, emphasizing gut health as a critical yet often overlooked factor in modern wellness.

You will leave with practical, realistic strategies that help students make better decisions, build ownership, and create a foundation for lifelong health.