Manville School District Wins Somerset County Healthy Workplace Gold Award

MANVILLE, NJ — Manville School District has received the 2026 Healthy Workplace Gold Award from Healthier Somerset, a county coalition that promotes workplace wellness.

The district announced the recognition after an awards ceremony held June 16, at the Somerville Elks, where corporations, nonprofits and public entities were honored for employee health initiatives.

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According to the district, Manville was named a Gold Award winner alongside SHI International Corp., Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, and Peapack Private Bank & Trust.

The award recognizes employers that build workplace wellness programs, and Healthier Somerset presents it annually to encourage evidence-based efforts across Somerset County.

Manville School District was recognized specifically for its "Mindful May" program.

The district said the initiative was created to address employee burnout and support physical and mental well-being by using a scheduled student early-dismissal day in May to turn afternoon staff in-service time into a wellness retreat.

During "Mindful May," faculty and staff could choose from several wellness and de-stressing activities, according to the district.

Those activities included yoga classes, board games aimed at community-building, and mindful walks through nearby Dukes Park.

"Our staff gives 100 percent to our students every single day, and 'Mindful May' was our way of pouring back into them," said a spokesperson for Manville School District. "Receiving the Gold Award from Healthier Somerset validates our belief that staff wellness is foundational to educational excellence. We are honored by this recognition and remain committed to fostering a healthy, supportive workplace environment."

Healthier Somerset is a coalition of civic, business and health leaders.

The group's Healthy Workplace Awards are presented each year to encourage employers to help build a healthier Somerset County through wellness programs.