Husky Talk is UConn Husky Nutrition & Sport’s participatory action research approach to listening, learning, and acting alongside students, families, educators, and community partners. Rooted in UConn HNS’s decades-long campus–community partnership in Hartford and across Connecticut, Husky Talk reflects our commitment to equity, shared learning, and relationship-centered practice. Through structured conversations, interviews, and interactive activities, Husky Talk positions community members as experts of their own lived experiences, generating insights that strengthen programs, inform systems-level change, and support collective action. This evolving framework brings our values into practice—ensuring that evaluation, research, and education are not done to communities, but with them.
Our approach to partnerships is deeply intentional and rooted in genuine relationship building. We begin by listening—centering the voices of youth, families, and community members to understand their lived experiences, needs, and aspirations. This listening-first philosophy ensures that our collaborations are not only responsive but also reflective of the communities we serve. By valuing local knowledge and history, we cultivate partnerships grounded in trust, respect, and shared purpose rather than transactional exchange. Dr. McGarry utilized this approach to establish the first girls group program back in 2005 – spending a year engaging with community members before launching programs.
From there, our educational programs grow organically out of these relationships. Each initiative is co-created with our partners to fit their unique context, blending evidence-based practice with community insight. We prioritize collaboration over prescription—working alongside educators, families, and youth to design experiences that build capacity, celebrate culture, and foster collective wellness. This people-centered model distinguishes our work: partnerships that begin with listening evolve into sustainable, community-led programs that strengthen both learning and belonging.
Community Invested Evaluations & Impacts
As UConn HNS works to place relationships at the forefront of our collaborative partnerships and educational programs, the same is true in our approach with evaluations and research.
Process Evaluations – Everyday Relationships + Feedback Loop
Our team continually invests in relationships as part of evaluations by caring about people, working to be truly present, actively listening, and genuinely being curious about their experiences. Sharing time, interactions, activities, and learning creates a consistent process of evaluation made up of everyday conversations and informal feedback that informs continuous improvement among working relationships, staff approach and practices, educational programs, and sustained partnerships.
Outcome Evaluations – Emphasizing Improvement + Intentional Alignment
In alignment with a long-time funder, UConn HNS utilizes the SNAP-Ed Evaluation framework to implement survey-based programmatic evaluations. These evaluation tools were designed to provide descriptive data connected to UConn HNS impact on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to healthy eating, physical activity, and food resource management. This set of evaluations also includes questions focused on curriculum relevance, program delivery, and participant impact to inform continuous improvements as part of educational spaces and collaborations within the city of Hartford, surrounding towns, and University of Connecticut communities.
Academic Contributions – People + Community Centered Scholarship
UConn HNS has also engaged in mixed-methods research efforts throughout our history, producing hundreds of academic publications and presentations.
Husky Talk Framework
Pairing a range of stakeholder engagements and qualitative methods, Husky Talk efforts are designed to capture deeper, equity-driven insights through structured conversations, interviews, and interactive activities. Positioning students, families, and community members as experts and continuing to foster genuine trusting relationships are prerequisites for honest exchange and solution building.
“Husky Talk” has grown as an organizational practice, fostering more consistent and authentic cycles of feedback alongside students, families, staff, and partners. While still in development across all phases, start to finish, the progress achieved over the last two years underscores the unique value of the Husky Talk framework and its potential to:
- Elevate Community Voices: Engage people and partners living and working as part of families, schools, and communities in ways that honor their shared insights, expertise, and experiences.
- Inform Continuous Improvements: Enhance feedback loops to more efficiently and effectively inform improvements across participants’ strengths and preferences, partner collaborations, programmatic relevance, relevance and quality of educational curriculum, environmental policies, and staffing practices.
- Strengthen Systems Change in Collaboration: Insights from youth, families, and educators are informing school committees and community partnerships, supporting healthier environments across partner communities.
FY19 – Project Pilot and Origin
2019 marked the pilot and origin of the Husky Talk model, while this type of engagement has been at the foundation of our work for decades - the work of Kerry Mattson renewed this focus. Launching as a graduate student-led capstone project that tested foundational theories and participatory methods to center student voice at Fred D. Wish School and inform early program improvements.
FY20-FY24 – Exploring
From 2020–2024, Husky Talk entered an exploratory phase, evolving through multiple iterations led by interdisciplinary students and practitioners across sport management, education, and public health. This period emphasized learning by doing, generating diverse tools, reports, and insights that deepened the framework while expanding its relevance across programs and audiences.
Recess & Playground
Classroom Climate
Classroom Belonging
During this phase of Husky Talk we listened, learned, and acted.
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Recess equipment, basketball hoops, and recess: Insights from Husky Talk informed tangible improvements to recess environments, including new equipment and basketball hoops, increasing opportunities for physical activity, play, and student engagement.
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School integration: Husky Talk findings supported stronger integration of UConn HNS programs within the school day and culture, improving alignment with educators’ priorities and student needs.
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Changed curriculum and activities: Feedback from students and school partners led to meaningful adjustments in curriculum design and daily activities to better reflect student interests, cultural relevance, and developmental needs.
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Graduate students learned and developed: Graduate students strengthened their skills in facilitation, reflective practice, and equity-centered evaluation while applying participatory methods in real-world school and community settings.
FY25-FY26 – Formalizing
Over the last two years we have worked to formalization Husky Talk, embedding the framework into UConn HNS’s SNAP-Ed plan and institutional research processes. This period focuses on strengthening methodological rigor, securing approvals and funding, and positioning Husky Talk as a scalable, equity-driven model for participatory evaluation and action.
Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS) is utilized to teach and affirm positive adult and student behavior as part of the larger Wish School culture and climate. Wish Students accumulate PAWS as a reward and affirmation for their positive behaviors.
PAWS
P - Practice Kindness
A - Always Be Respectful
W - Work Hard
S - Stay Safe
UConn HNS, as an aligned and contributing partner @ Wish School, integrates PBIS and PAWS within all educational programs and school-wide collaborations. UConn HNS staff also serve as the lead facilitators for “Thriving Thursdays” which operates as a rotation of school-wide initiatives that occurs every Thursday to celebrate different Wish School stakeholders through investments such as Staff Appreciation, PBIS School Store, Classroom Recesses, Classroom Snacks, and more.
"Lunch Bunch - Focus Groups" is offered once per month during “Thriving Thursday” with a sample size (10-15) of Wish School Students that spend 15 minutes during their lunch time with UConn HNS Staff to hangout, have fun, share food, and engage in a focus group conversation.
Students
On this UConn HNS “Thriving Thursday” @ Wish School, we were able to engage with students during “Lunch Bunch – Focus Groups” to hear students’ feedback on their learning and experiences regarding: Cycle Three of UConn HNS Programs
Cycle Three Overview
| HNS Pillars | Cycle Theme | Teaching Emphasis – “Memorable Motto” |
| Nutrition Education | Vegetables | “Vary Your Veggies" |
| Physical Activity | Golf | “Follow Through” |
| Transferable Life Skill | Wish Core Values | “Always Be Respectful” |
Student Engagement
On 12/11, Wish School Students in grades 3rd, 4th, 5th joined with UConn HNS staff to share in fun, eating, and conversation.
10 Wish School Students
2 Focus Groups - 5 students per group
3 UConn HNS Staff - 2 conversational facilitators; 1 note-taker
Nutrition Education
Rate the Snack: Strawberry S’mores
- Mixed Reviews on the Crunch Veggie Wrap!
- Only four 10/10 ratings versus four students shared that they did not like it at all, with specific feedback stating that they “don’t like tomatoes so didn’t want to eat it”, “Please take out the tomatoes and carrots”, and “Didn’t like it because I don’t like veggies”
- Two students were not present at school during the day of the snack
- One Major Change was suggested for the recipe, with 5 students asking to take out the tomatoes!
One Important Thing You Learned: Dairy Section of the MyPlate
- 9/10 students mentioned Vegetables as part of a healthy MyPlate
- One student shared that they are new to the school so not yet aware
- Generally, veggies were mentioned as “healthy”, “good for you”, and “a good food to eat”
- One student shared: "Any color veggie is good – like try the rainbow of colors”
Physical Activity
Rate the Activities: Golf Madness, Tic-Tac-Toe, Cow Pool
- Mixed Reviews!
- Students expressed such a wide range of ratings for the same games and different games; which games were their most and least favorite, and reasons why they did or did not like a game.
- Students’ reasons for liking the different golf games included when they were “good at the golf game”, “got a good score”,“liked when my team kept winning”, and “it was good to get energy out by exercising while playing”
- Multiple students shared that “it was hard to hit the ball sometimes” as a reason they didn’t highly rate some of the golf games
One Important Thing You Learned
- Three students mentioned that “this was my first time learning about how to hit a golf ball”
- “You have to hit the ball, but don’t make it go in the air”
- "Can be fun even when you miss the ball”
- “Worked on our posture and form”
- “Learned some of the rules of golf”
School to Family Transfer?
UConn HNS works as part of Wish School. In doing so we also work alongside students and their families. We most certainly hope that student learning and behaviors connected with Nutrition Education and Physical Activity are transferring from school to family life. When students were asked about these transfers during this "Lunch Bunch - Focus Group", some examples of transfers were shared. The work continues...
- 4 students said that they did not share anything with their family, however;
- One student shared that they were going to “tell them about it all, today!”
- One student shared that “not this cycle, but I usually tell them about the games and the food”
- 3 students shared specific examples about talking with their family members
- One student talked with their mom and another student talked with their dad about “trying golf at school”
- One student shared that they “talked to their grandfather about golf because he used to play. He was happy to hear that I was learning about golf at school”
PBIS SCHOOL STORE – 12/04/25
Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS) is utilized to teach and affirm positive adult and student behavior as part of the larger Wish School culture and climate. Wish Students accumulate PAWS as a reward and affirmation for their positive behaviors. PAWS make up the PBIS Core Values @ Wish School:
P - Practice Kindness
A - Always Be Respectful
W - Work Hard
S - Stay Safe
UConn HNS, as an aligned and contributing partner @ Wish School, integrates PBIS and PAWS within all educational programs and school-wide collaborations. UConn HNS staff also serve as the lead facilitators for “Thriving Thursdays” which operates as a rotation of school-wide initiatives that occur every Thursday to celebrate different Wish School stakeholders through investments such as Staff Appreciation, Student Lunch Bunch, Classroom Recesses, Classroom Snacks, and more.
The PBIS School Store is offered once per month during “Thriving Thursday” to every Wish School Student/ Classroom. UConn HNS staff lead with the facilitation of the PBIS School Store, setting up all of the available prizes and working alongside students to support their shopping to purchase prizes using their PAWS. One whole class visits for 15 minutes at a time alongside their teachers and support staff, with 16 total class visits happening throughout the day.
Students
Across two different UConn HNS “Thriving Thursdays” @ Wish School we were able to engage with students to learn more about their likes, interests, and suggestions so that we can work to improve upon:
PBIS SCHOOL STORE
INDIVIDUAL FUN PRIZES - WHOLE CLASS PRIZES – CLOTHING PRIZES
Students: Individual Fun Prizes - Please tell us your Top 2 Choices
Top Choices
97 - Pop-Its
81 - Pokémon Cards
47 - Soccer Ball - 47 students want option to purchase a soccer ball
47 - Fruits & Veggies - 47 students want option to purchase fruits & veggies
22 - Jump Rope
Top Choices – Connected with School Leaders and Classroom Education
22 - Principal for a Day – the responsibilities and workload of Principal may not allow for students to serve as “Principal for a Day”, but maybe just maybe we can find ways for students to even further connect with the Principal of Wish School.
Maybe just maybe students can use their PAWS to purchase time with the Principale to maybe just maybe share a healthy snack, eat breakfast or lunch together, listen to music and dance if maybe just maybe the Principal likes to dance and listen to music...some other options TBD to host fun with students and the Principal? Or, maybe justmaybe, other school leaders and educators might be available to connect further with students.
With 22 students choosing the option to connect more with the Principal, maybe just maybe, there will be actions to create new, fun options for students to use their PAWS to purchase time with the Principal.
21 - Homework Pass – mostly older students in grade 4th and 5th picked this choice, so an opportunity to connect more with teachers to see what might be possible.
Others Receiving Votes
3 - Slime
2 - Football
2 - Legos
1 – for each – Barbies, Toy Dinosaurs, Plushies, Toy Cars, Stuffed Animals, Stress Ball, Ornaments, Sand, PS5 Time, UNO Cards, Water Bottle, School Therapy Dog
Students: Whole Class Prizes - Please tell us your Top 2 Choices
182 Student Participants / 356 Top 2 Choices
From a menu of options, including previous and new options for whole class prizes offered at the PBIS School Store, students were asked to share their Top 2 Choices.
Top Choices
88 - Movie Party
87 - Glow Stick Party – Grades K-2nd this was very popular, not so much with older students
70 - Extra Recess
Others Receiving Votes
32 - Extra Games
30 - Extra Computer Time
27 - Extra Gym Time
13 - Extra Healthy Snack
8 - Extra Reading Time
Students: Clothing Prizes - Please tell us your Top 2 Choices
182 Student Participants / 354 Top 2 Choices
From a menu of options, including previous and new options for clothing prizes offered at the PBIS School Store, students were asked to share their Top 2 Choices.
Top Choices
72 - Wish T-Shirt
66 - Husky T-Shirt
57 - Pajama Pants
52 - Make-up
37 - Fun Socks
36 - Sport Jersey
Others Receiving Votes
18 - Dress Up Clothes
15 - Head Band / Wrist Band
Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS) is utilized to teach and affirm positive adult and student behavior as part of the larger Wish School culture and climate. Wish Students accumulate PAWS as a reward and affirmation for their positive behaviors. PAWS make up the PBIS Core Values @ Wish School:
P - Practice Kindness
A - Always Be Respectful
W - Work Hard
S - Stay Safe
UConn HNS, as an aligned and contributing partner @ Wish School, integrates PBIS and PAWS within all educational programs and school-wide collaborations. UConn HNS staff also serve as the lead facilitators for “Thriving Thursdays” which operates as a rotation of school-wide initiatives that occur every Thursday to celebrate different Wish School stakeholders through investments such as Staff Appreciation, Student Lunch Bunch, Classroom Recesses, Classroom Snacks, and more.
The PBIS School Store is offered once per month during “Thriving Thursday” to every Wish School Student/ Classroom. In addition to the prizes available for students to purchase using their PAWS during the PBIS School Store a, a special opportunity is offered to purchase an entire class recess with UConn (Cost=100 PAWS).
On this UConn HNS “Thriving Thursday” @ Wish School, we were able to engage with both students and staff to learn more about students’ interests and educators’ suggestions regarding: INDOOR RECESS
Students
On 11/20, Wish School Classrooms in grades 1st, 3rd, and 5th were out having fun and playing at Recess. Making sure to not interrupt students’ fun play time, we asked one specific question and took down their responses in less than 30 seconds per student!
Students: What games or activities do you want for Indoor Recess?
152 Total Responses – 44 Different Responses!
Top Responses
- 28 – Tag
- 12 – for each – Musical Chairs, Football
- 10 – for each – Basketball, Baseball, Soccer
- 9 – Races
Others Receiving Votes
- 5 – for each – Jump Rope, Redlight-Greenlight, Mini-Golf
- 4 – for each – Fast Mode-Run Then Go Slow, Any Sports, Swing, Legos
- 3 – Slime, Softball, Any Games Wish Students vs. UConn HNS
- 2 – Hide & Seek
- 1 – for each – Trampoline, Slide, Hula Hoops, Giant UNO, 7 UP, Helicopter Game, Survival Game with One Zombie, Duck-Duck-Goose, Simon Says, Art Competition, Computer Games with No Violence, Dancing with Music, Tic-Tac-Toe, Sharks & Minos, Obstacle Course, Volleyball, Trying Different Foods, Guess Who, Minecraft, Watch Home Alone, Coloring, Legos, Four Corners, Sparkle Math Game, 6/7 Game with Rock-Paper-Scissors, Bubbles
Educators
UConn HNS staff continues to appreciate our collaborative partnership with the extended Wish School Community. Clearly an integral component of this larger partnership are the everyday working relationships with the cool and talented educators @ Wish School.
On 11/20, we made and served Hot Chocolate to all educators interested. At the same time we sought to learn from their expertise by asking one quick question.
Educators: What suggestions can you share – how can we make sure that your students are engaged during indoor recess?
Many educators' responses reaffirmed existing approaches of UConn HNS. We continue to appreciate our partnership, with key themes as follows from Wish Educators’ suggestions.
“Divide & Engage”
- “You can utilize different stations to ensure everyone is in small groups. Have a time limit, maybe 15 minutes, at a station then rotate students to the next station.”
- “Suggest that you have students play fun games in small groups.”
- “Work to make sure all students are engaged in the activities”
- “Offer more than one activity at a time.”
“Celebration & Affirmation”
- “Make sure you are cheering students on as you play games.”
- “Include PAWS in your planning and give them out to students.”
- “Positive reinforcement is always important.”
- “Kids like to compete and they like to work on being good teammates. Encourage both!”
PBIS SCHOOL STORE – 11/13/25
Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS) is utilized to teach and affirm positive adult and student behavior as part of the larger Wish School culture and climate. Wish Students accumulate PAWS as a reward and affirmation for their positive behaviors. PAWS make up the PBIS Core Values @ Wish School:
P - Practice Kindness
A - Always Be Respectful
W - Work Hard
S - Stay Safe
UConn HNS, as an aligned and contributing partner @ Wish School, integrates PBIS and PAWS within all educational programs and school-wide collaborations. UConn HNS staff also serve as the lead facilitators for “Thriving Thursdays” which operates as a rotation of school-wide initiatives that occur every Thursday to celebrate different Wish School stakeholders through investments such as Staff Appreciation, Student Lunch Bunch, Classroom Recesses, Classroom Snacks, and more.
The PBIS School Store is offered once per month during “Thriving Thursday” to every Wish School Student/ Classroom. UConn HNS staff lead with the facilitation of the PBIS School Store, setting up all of the available prizes and working alongside students to support their shopping to purchase prizes using their PAWS. One whole class visits for 15 minutes at a time alongside their teachers and support staff, with 16 total class visits happening throughout the day.
Students
On this UConn HNS “Thriving Thursday” @ Wish School we were able to engage with students to learn more about their likes and suggestions so that we can work to improve upon: PBIS SCHOOL STORE
Students: Please share ONE THING YOU LOVE about the PBIS School Store
165 Students Shared Feedback
Top Responses
90 - Prizes & Toys
12 - Being able to Shop for Prizes
11 – It's a fun experience
11 - Slime as a Prize – K-2nd grade students provided this response
Others Receiving Votes
4 - Get to spend time with friends
2- Being able to play with Prizes & Toys
2 – Hang out with UConn Husky Staff
1 - That we can work as a class to buy prizes
1 - Get to use our PAWS that we have earned
1 - Get to share Toys & Prizes with friends
1 – for each of the existing Toys & Prizes – Books, Planes, Spinning Ball, Necklaces, Key Chains, Squishy Balls, Pop Its
Students: Please share ONE CHANGE TO IMPROVE the PBIS School Store
165 Students Shared Feedback
Top Responses
26 - More PAWS to Spend
24 - More / Different Prizes & Toys
12 - Lower Cost of Prizes & Toys
6 - Be Able to Purchase More Than One Prize/Toy
6 - Have Snacks Available to Purchase with PAWS
5 - More Time to Shop
Specific Ideas with 1 Vote - “Have PBIS School Store more often” and “Play Music during the PBIS School Store”
Specific Toys & Prizes as Suggestions
3 - More Choices of Squishy Balls
2 - More Choices of Pop-Its
2 – Add Water Bottles as a Prize
1 – for each – Soccer Balls, Footballs, Basketballs, Jump Ropes, Play-do, More Slime, Ice Cream, Ornaments, Change the Notebooks, Colorful Pens, Temporary Tattoos, Action Figures. And, of course -- “Add a Pool, More Drones, Need a Trampoline, and Add a Bounce House to the PBIS School Store” -- for which we working on all ofthese immediately.
Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS) is utilized to teach and affirm positive adult and student behavior as part of the larger Wish School culture and climate. Wish Students accumulate PAWS as a reward and affirmation for their positive behaviors.
PAWS
P - Practice Kindness
A - Always Be Respectful
W - Work Hard
S - Stay Safe
UConn HNS, as an aligned and contributing partner @ Wish School, integrates PBIS and PAWS within all educational programs and school-wide collaborations. UConn HNS staff also serve as the lead facilitators for “Thriving Thursdays” which operates as a rotation of school-wide initiatives that occurs every Thursday to celebrate different Wish School stakeholders through investments such as Staff Appreciation, PBIS School Store, Classroom Recesses, Classroom Snacks, and more.
"Lunch Bunch - Focus Groups" is offered once per month during “Thriving Thursday” with a sample size (10-15) of Wish School Students that spend 15 minutes during their lunch time with UConn HNS Staff to hangout, have fun, share food, and engage in a focus group conversation.
Students
On this UConn HNS “Thriving Thursday” @ Wish School, we were able to engage with students during “Lunch Bunch – Focus Groups” to hear students’ feedback on their learning and experiences regarding: Cycle Two of UConn HNS Programs
Cycle Two Overview
| HNS Pillars | Cycle Theme | Teaching Emphasis – “Memorable Motto” |
| Nutrition Education | Dairy | “Strong Teeth - Strong Bones” |
| Physical Activity | Track & Field | “Fun to Jump - Fun to Run” |
| Transferable Life Skill | Wish Core Values | “Practice Kindness” |
Student Engagement
On 11/06, Wish School Students in grades 3rd, 4th, 5th joined with UConn HNS staff to share in fun, eating, and conversation.
10 Wish School Students
2 Focus Groups - 5 students per group
3 UConn HNS Staff - 2 conversational facilitators; 1 note-taker
Nutrition Education
Rate the Snack: Strawberry S’mores
- 9/10 students gave this snack a perfect score, varying from Infinity/10; 1 billion/10; 100/10, and 10/10. One student said the snack was just “good”
- No changes were suggested for the recipe, yet a few students did suggest adding more chocolate, marshmallows, and ice cream...so our work continues...
One Important Thing You Learned: Dairy Section of the MyPlate
- 3/10 students specifically mentioned dairy to help “Strong Teeth”
- 3/10 students specifically mentioned dairy to help “Strong Bones”
- 5/10 students listed specific examples of dairy such as milk and yogurt
- 10/10 students mentioned Dairy to help general health and strength
Physical Activity
Rate the Activities: Tic-Tac-Toe Relay Race, Long Jump Competition, Olympic Obstacle Course
- 10/10 students really enjoyed Tic-Tac-Toe, pointing to “being familiar with the game” and with this life-sized version “getting to run and place the bean bag on the X/O”
- Many of the students shared very high ratings including 1million/10, 100/10, 10/10 about the Long Jump Competition and the Olympic Obstacle Course. Affirmations included mostly a “love for running and jumping”
- At the same time students shared mixed reviews for the Long Jump Competition and Olympic Obstacle, with some ratings as low as 5/10, 7/10, and even a 6/7 rating (which we are pretty sure means both nothing and everything all at the same time, but we definitely know in this case it indicated a very "meh" rating).
- Suggestions included “more hurdles”, a desire to “run laps on a track”, “make the obstacle course less difficult”, “change obstacle course = too hard”, and “please change everything about the obstacle course”.
One Important Thing You Learned
- 4/10 students connected with learning more about “Jumping”
- 6/10 students connected with learning more about “Running”
- 9/10 students listed specific examples of learning about Track & Field including “jumping over hurdles”, “passing the baton”, “getting faster as you run more”, and “it’s definitely an exercise”
School to Family Transfer?
UConn HNS works as part of Wish School. In doing so we also work alongside students and their families. We most certainly hope that student learning and behaviors connected with Nutrition Education and Physical Activity are transferring from school to family life. When students were asked about these transfers during this "Lunch Bunch - Focus Group", limited transfers were shared. The work continues...
- 3/10 students shared that nothing from Cycle Two has been connected back to their family
- 2 students mentioned that they "discussed Track & Field" with their families
- 2 students mentioned healthy snacks transferring from school to family:
- One student “wants to” make the Yogurt Parfait with their family
- One student “tried the trail mix snack with my Mom” following the Wish School field trip to UConn on 10/30/25, which is a different event yet we are here to celebrate the School to Family Transfer!
Wish School & UConn HNS Partnership
UConn HNS maintains an everyday presence at Fred D. Wish Museum School in Hartford, CT alongside PreK-5th grade students, school staff, families, educators, and community partners working to enhance nutrition and physical activity education as part of the larger Culture of Health @ Wish School.
As part of this everyday school-university partnership, UConn HNS actively contributes with all school-wide initiatives and events through collaborative coordination on the following Wish School committees:
- Attendance, Climate and Engagement Team (ACE)
- School Governance Council (SGC)
- Instructional Leadership Team (ILT)
- Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
- Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports Team (PBIS)
Wish School - Student Attendance Initiative
During the month of October, as lead by the Attendance, Climate and Engagement Team (ACE), a school-wide initiative focused on student attendance. UConn HNS supported the promotions and practices planned out by the ACE Team within Wish School, while also planning and funding the big prize for the winning classes – A Field Trip to UConn.
10/30/25 Field Trip to UConn
Involved Personnel
- 42 Wish School Students from the three 4th grade classes that won the attendance initiative
- 10 Wish School Staff
- 13 UConn HNS Staff
- 25 UConn Student-Volunteers
UConn Campus Tour - Outline of the Day
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Timing |
Personnel and Activities |
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8:30 - 9:00 |
Wish School Students, Teachers, and Chaperones coordinate departure
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9:00 - 9:45 AM |
Wish School Students, Teachers, and Chaperones ride on bus to UConn
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| 9:45 - 10:15 AM |
Welcoming at UConn - Gentry 144
|
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10:15 - 10:30 AM |
“Husky Talk”
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10:30 - 12:30 PM |
UConn Campus Tour - Traveling by Wish Classroom Teacher Groups with UConn Students
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12:30 - 1:00 PM |
Lunch - Gentry 144
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1:00 - 2:00 PM |
Bathrooms, Clean-Up, Distribute "Respect Bags", Attendance, Load Buses, Back to Wish |
Community Based Participatory Action Research (CBPAR) – “Husky Talk”
UConn HNS works to place relationships at the forefront of our collaborative efforts alongside people and partners. Sharing time, interactions, activities, and learning creates a consistent process of evaluation that is made up of everyday conversations and informal feedback.
Caring about people, genuinely being curious about their experiences, desiring continuous improvement in our work and partnerships, and working towards collective actions for necessary change is why we are committed to building upon Community Based Participatory Action Research (Minkler, 2005; Lucko, 2024) as an organizational priority and practice.
Positioning students, families, and community members as experts and continuing to foster genuine trusting relationships are prerequisites for honest exchange and solution building. UConn HNS has continued to evolve the framework of “Husky Talk” so to capture deeper, equity-driven insights through structured conversations, interviews, and interactive activities. The focus of Husky Talk during the 10/30/25 Field Trip to UConn was aligned with the Wish School Attendance Initiative. We wanted to learn from students about: School Attendance – Morning Routines
Students (N=42)
Question #1 - How do you get to school every morning? Please Pick the One Best Option
- I Ride the Bus to School
- I get a Ride from my Family
- I Walk to School with my Family
- I Walk to School by Myself
- Other (Please expand here as needed):
Top Responses
21 - I get a ride from my family
12 - I ride the bus to school
8 - I walk to school by myself
7 - I walk to school with my family
6 - students named more than one way they get to school
Others Receiving Votes
1 - Sometimes I get a ride from my aunt
1 - I get a ride from my family and pick my friends up if needed
Question #2 - When it comes to getting your day started... Where do you eat it?
Top Responses
22 - Home
13 - School
4 - Home and School
Question #3 - When it comes to getting your day started, what do you most often have for your first food of the day (anything/anywhere works)?
Top Responses
12 - Eggs
9 - Pancakes / Waffles
9 - Cereal
6 - Bacon
Others Receiving Votes
2 - Oatmeal
1 - for each - Toast, Fruit, Sausage, Yogurt, Pizza, Rice and Beans
Question #4 - What is something positive about your morning routines that helps you get to school every day?
Top Responses
19 - Brush Teeth (often mentioned among multi-part answers)
9 - Wash Face / Skincare (often mentioned among multi-part answers)
7 - Shower (often mentioned among multi-part answers)
7 - Family Support (often mentioned among multi-part answers)
Question #5 - If you had to share one thing...What makes you want to come to school every day?
Top Responses
17 - Learning / Education (generally)
14 - Friends
7 - Specials Classes (Art, Music, PE, UConn Class)
5 - Math Class (specifically)
5 - Field Trips (specifically)
Closing Analysis
There really is so much to learn from Wish School Students! Following a 4-week school-wide attendance initiative, we were able to spend time asking questions and learning from the Wish School Winners (42 students across three 4th grade classes). We were able to further understand students’ morning routines, how they get to school, where and what they eat, what and who supports them, and what excites them most about attendance on a daily basis.
By planning ahead of time to empower 20+ facilitators in the creation of a welcoming environment that positioned Wish Students as the experts, we were able to listen and grow our understanding about school attendance routines. We did this within a semi-structured 15-minutes and as part of a fun field trip at UConn. We do this to continue building positive relationships by increasing our understanding to then increase our connectivity. We share this information as a support for similar efforts across the Wish School community and to showcase the opportunity for replication with partnerships between students, families, schools, communities, and university stakeholders.
Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS) is utilized to teach and affirm positive adult and student behavior as part of the larger Wish School culture and climate. Wish Students accumulate PAWS as a reward and affirmation for their positive behaviors.
PAWS
P - Practice Kindness
A - Always Be Respectful
W - Work Hard
S - Stay Safe
UConn HNS, as an aligned and contributing partner @ Wish School, integrates PBIS and PAWS within all educational programs and school-wide collaborations. UConn HNS staff also serve as the lead facilitators for “Thriving Thursdays” which operates as a rotation of school-wide initiatives that occurs every Thursday to celebrate different Wish School stakeholders through investments such as Staff Appreciation, Student Lunch Bunch, Classroom Recesses, Classroom Snacks, and more.
The PBIS School Store is offered once per month during “Thriving Thursday” to every Wish School Student/Classroom. In addition to the prizes available for students to purchase using their PAWS during the PBIS School Store a, a special opportunity is offered to purchase an entire class recess with UConn (Cost=100 PAWS).
On this UConn HNS “Thriving Thursday” @ Wish School, we were able to engage with students to learn more about their interests and suggestions regarding: THE PLAYGROUND @ WISH SCHOOL
Students
During the 10/02 PBIS School Store, 4 Wish School Classrooms purchased a UConn Recess. During these recesses, held just one week later on 10/09, the opportunity was available to engage even more with Wish School Students in grades 1st, 3rd, and 5th at they were out having fun and playing at Recess. Making sure to not interrupt students’ fun play time, we asked one specific question and took down their responses in less than 30 seconds per student!
Students: If you were in charge and could pick one thing to add to the playground @ Wish School - What would be your Top One Pick?
SWINGS!!!
By Far The Top Choice! - Now (And Back Then)
Now – in 2025 with students attending school and playing during recess at Wish School on Vine Street, by far the top choice for a new addition to the playground:
“Swings” = 44% of responses (40 of 91 votes)
And Back Then - in 2020 right before COVID shutdown public schools and spaces - while students were attending school and playing during recess at Wish School on Barbour Street, they were asked the same one question – See more with “Playgrounds - Recess”
“Swings” = 60% of responses (42 of 71 votes)
Others Receiving Votes
“Trampoline” received 9 votes – a distant second place. With apologies to Wish School Students – without even actually asking - all legal teams involved shared that we will not be able to pursue adding Trampolines at Wish School.
Four other top choices received 2 votes (ex: Slides, Seesaw, Parkour, and a Swimming Pool!)
23 other top choices receiving just 1 vote (ex: Basketballs, Soccer Balls, Volleyballs, Basketball Hoops, Soccer Goals, Volleyball Nets, and a Roller-Coaster!)
Closing Analysis - Actions are Available
#1 - “One Size DOES NOT Fit All”
One noteworthy trend was that 8 students top choices focused on different sizes with playground equipment. Examples include shorter (Monkey bars), longer (Slides), and bigger (Spin Seats). Across PreK-5th grades, available playground equipment will need to vary by size.
#2 - “Benches & Trees”
Some students simply wanted more beautiful and comfortable places to rest and relax as part of their Wish School playground and recess experience. Maybe we can’t support Trampolines, Swimming Pools, and Roller Coasters, but a few more “Benches & Trees” seem fair, peaceful, and possible.
#3 - “Please Keep in Mind”
- 29 different top choices were shared by Wish School Students, indicating a wide range of recess options and playground interests
- At the same time, across 91 total responses, Please Keep in Mind, not one student responded with “Nothing” or “Please do not make any new additions to the playground @ Wish School”
- Wish Students want and deserve more playground options at their school. We can do more and better!
Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS) is utilized to teach and affirm positive adult and student behavior as part of the larger Wish School culture and climate. Wish Students accumulate PAWS as a reward and affirmation for their positive behaviors.
PAWS
P - Practice Kindness
A - Always Be Respectful
W - Work Hard
S - Stay Safe
UConn HNS, as an aligned and contributing partner @ Wish School, integrates PBIS and PAWS within all educational programs and school-wide collaborations. UConn HNS staff also serve as the lead facilitators for “Thriving Thursdays” which operates as a rotation of school-wide initiatives that occurs every Thursday to celebrate different Wish School stakeholders through investments such as Staff Appreciation, PBIS School Store, Classroom Recesses, Classroom Snacks, and more.
"Lunch Bunch - Focus Groups" is offered once per month during “Thriving Thursday” with a sample size (10-15) of Wish School Students that spend 15 minutes during their lunch time with UConn HNS Staff to hangout, have fun, share food, and engage in a focus group conversation.
Students
On this UConn HNS “Thriving Thursday” @ Wish School, we were able to engage with students during “Lunch Bunch – Focus Groups” to hear students’ feedback on their learning and experiences regarding: Cycle One of UConn HNS Programs
Cycle One Overview - Introductory Cycle
| HNS Pillars | Cycle Theme | Teaching Emphasis – “Memorable Motto” |
| Nutrition Education | MyPlate | “MyPlate is a Healthy Plate” |
| Physical Activity | Physical Literacy | “Be Active!” |
| Transferable Life Skill | PAWS Overview | “Wish School Core Values” |
Student Engagement
On 10/09, Wish School Students in grades 3rd, 4th, 5th joined with UConn HNS staff to share in fun, eating, and conversation.
10 Wish School Students
2 Focus Groups - 5 students per group
3 UConn HNS Staff - 2 conversational facilitators; 1 note-taker
Nutrition Education
Rate the Snack: MyPlate Nachos
- 9/10 students gave this snack a very strong score of either Bussin (4) and Very Yummy (5); One student said the snack was a "No Thank You" because they "do not like the black beans"
- 4 students shared that they liked all of it.
- 2 students suggested adding more "salt & pepper".
- One student asked for "no black beans", another student asked for "more black beans". One student asked for "no tomatoes", another student asked for "more tomatoes". It's fun to be a part of students' different food likes and dislikes at this age!
One Important Thing You Learned: Dairy Section of the MyPlate
Students who have attended Wish School for years have seen the MyPlate many times from UConn. The students tend to associate MyPlate with healthy eating and possess solid working knowledge of the different foods and sections of the MyPlate, as showcased in the range of student feedback provided during this "Lunch Bunch - Focus Group":
- Simple things to cook; avoid too much sugar in cake
- Teaches us about foods that are special occasions (go-slow-woah scale)
- Use the MyPlate to help you when doctors talk about healthy eating
- I know that dairy, ice cream is a woah food and I just learned that whipped cream is a dairy
- Dairy helps with strong bones; fruit helps with nervous system
- Try all foods
- Try all foods; like fruits (eat-the-rainbow)
Physical Activity
Rate the Activities: Obstacle Course
- 4 Students - Rated as a 10/10
- 1 Student - Rated 9.5/10 because they "didn't like rolling on the ground"
- 2 Students - Rated 8.5/10 and 8/10, one sharing "ladders were difficult" / the other "ladders were great"
- 2 Students - Rated 7.5 and 7/10, both sharing "it was a little too difficult"
- 1 Student - Was not present the day their class went to UConn for the obstacle course, yet still suggested that we "add hula hoops for next time"
One Important Thing You Learned about Stretching
As we introduced the concept of Physical Literacy and the importance of being Physical Active during Cycle One of UConn HNS programs @ Wish School, one key area of focus was: Stretching. Wish School Students showcased important learning regarding stretching before physical activities to help prevent injuries, provide energy, and ensure safety. Students realize stretching after physical activities can relax their bodies.
- You get stronger; stretch after exercise
- For your safety
- Stretch everyday; keeps you safe
- Not get hurt; Stay Safe; Before you do anything
- Give you energy; before training
- Helps with cramps (x2)
- Helps relax your body
- Stretching helps you get ready to do stuff
School to Family Transfer?
UConn HNS works as part of Wish School. In doing so we also work alongside students and their families. We most certainly hope that student learning and behaviors connected with Nutrition Education and Physical Activity are transferring from school to family life. When students were asked about these transfers during this "Lunch Bunch - Focus Group", many different examples of School to Family Transfers were present. Very Exciting!
- Share with family that I ate food at school, like vegetables
- Shared fruit pizza recipe with family
- We get to do lots of fun stuff- challenges like the activities and raffles
- Ate healthy food and to be active; learning about healthy eating; stay active
- We always do stretches first, then we play
- Told family stretching helps with physical body cramps
- Chocolate bar—told my family about the pancakes
- How fun UConn is – we played musical chairs
- Shared everything—Brings recipe cards home— Mom stretches at home
Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS) is utilized to teach and affirm positive adult and student behavior as part of the larger Wish School culture and climate. Wish Students accumulate PAWS as a reward and affirmation for their positive behaviors.
PAWS
P - Practice Kindness
A - Always Be Respectful
W - Work Hard
S - Stay Safe
UConn HNS, as an aligned and contributing partner @ Wish School, integrates PBIS within all educational programs and school-wide collaborations. UConn HNS staff also serve as the lead facilitators for “Thriving Thursdays” which operates as a rotation of school-wide initiatives that occur every Thursday to celebrate different Wish School stakeholders through investments such as Staff Appreciation, Student Lunch Bunch, Classroom Recesses, Classroom Snacks, PBIS School Store, and more.
The PBIS School Store is offered once per month during “Thriving Thursday” to every Wish School Student/ Classroom. UConn HNS staff lead with the facilitation of the PBIS School Store, setting up all of the available prizes and working alongside students to support their shopping to purchase prizes using their PAWS. One whole class visits for 15 minutes at a time alongside their teachers and support staff, with 16 total class visits happening throughout the day.
Students
On 10/02, all K-5th Wish School Students were provided with the opportunity to visit the PBIS School Store. As this was the first opportunity of the school year, on this UConn HNS “Thriving Thursday” @ Wish School, we took this opportunity to engage with students to learn more regarding: Favorite Adults @ Wish & Why?
Students: Who is your favorite adult @ Wish School & Why?
224 Total Responses
Response Trends
- 36 different “Favorite Adults” were named as part of the Wish School Community
- 53% of Wish School Classroom Teachers were named as “favorite adults”
- 16% of Wish School Support Staff were named as “favorite adults”
- 14% of Wish School Community Partner Staff were named as “favorite adults”
- 12% of Wish School Arts Teachers were named as “favorite adults”
- 5% of Wish School Administration were named as “favorite adults”
- 12 of the 14 current classroom teachers were most frequently named as students’ favorite adults in the school, when examining responses classroom-by-classroom
Students: Please explain "Why" this your favorite adult @ Wish School?
Below are some of the primary themes and brief quotes from students' sharing:
Supportive Teaching and Learning
- “She teaches me and tells me I can do it"
- "She's really sweet and helps me emotionally"
- "He makes me happy and feel good, so I want to go to school”
- "She makes our activities fun"
- "Teaches us about healthy foods”
- “Teaches us new sports”
- "Because she loves me"
Snacks and Play as Rewards
- "Because she gives us snacks" (x 10)
- She gives us "donuts", "candy", "snack-packs" as rewards (...maybe we can continue to work towards more fruits, veggies, and other healthy snack options...)
- "She let's us play with play dough to relax"
- "He loves football and plays with us at recess"
- "She teaches us how to play games during recess"
Creativity and New Experiences with Specials Teachers
- “Makes fun activities"
- "Love doing jumping jacks"
- "We can 3D print with him"
- "Let's us sing and dance a lot"
- "Plays piano and we get to sing"
- "I get to visit the sensory room with them"
Meeting Student Needs
- “Make us feel like we belong"
- "She keeps us safe"
- "My teacher makes me feel special and supported"
- "Always helps me when I am stuck on something"
- "He let's me visit his office when I need to talk"