Newark Public Schools Earns Gold For Workplace Wellbeing

NEWARK, N.J. – Newark Public Schools officials announced today that the district’s Human Resource Services (HRS) Office of Benefit Services has been honored with the Gold-level Workplace Well-Being Award from Aetna Inc. This prestigious recognition is awarded to employers who demonstrate outstanding leadership in creating a healthier, more supportive work environment for their employees.

The award was presented to Superintendent León and members of the HRS Department on Monday by Jason Silverstein, an Aetna account executive, and Kathleen Diesso, a USI senior account executive.

The Aetna Workplace Well-Being Award recognizes organizations that conduct a full 12-month program every year and demonstrate excellence across key components of employee well-being. Those components include strategy and design, communications and engagement, workplace programs and policies, incentives and program evaluation.

Some of the Office of Benefit Services’ initiatives that helped earn the award included:

• Two major health and wellness fairs where employees could access health screenings, flu shots, financial services information, and many other services.
• The expansion of employees’ access to physical therapy through Hinge Health, a virtual program that provides employees with one-on-one clinical support for chronic or emerging musculoskeletal conditions.
• The enhancement of the district’s incentives program by introducing Aetna Health Your Way, which allows employees to track healthy actions digitally and earn rewards for meeting personal wellness goals.

“Receiving the Gold-level recognition from Aetna is a tremendous honor for our Benefit Services team and for the Newark Public Schools staff and their families,” said Superintendent León. “This recognition reflects the energy and care our district invests in supporting our valued employees. When the people who educate and support our students thrive, our entire community thrives.”

“This achievement is a true team victory,” said Board of Education President Hasani K. Council. “Demonstrating such a strong commitment to employee wellness shows how deeply Newark Public Schools invests in people,  and that commitment strengthens outcomes for students and families.”

“Our team is deeply committed to supporting the whole well-being of every Newark Public Schools employee,” said Dr. Yolanda Mendez, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resource Services. “This recognition reflects intentional collaboration across the district to ensure staff feel seen, supported, and equipped to prioritize their health. When we invest in the people who serve our students every day, we strengthen the entire NPS community.”