School Roles in Children’s Health

1. School Roles in Children’s Health Indiana Department of Education

2. Some Indiana statistics… • 55 cumulative AIDS cases in children under 13 years of age • 24.1% children aged 19-35 months without all immunizations • 10% of children (birth – 18 years) have no health insurance • 29.1% of high school students are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight • 62.8% of Indiana adults are overweight or obese

3. The Whole Child ASCD calls upon educators, parents, policymakers, and business leaders to ensure that, in their own community, each student: • enters school healthy and learns about and practices a healthy lifestyle. • learns in an intellectually challenging environment that is physically and emotionally safe for students and adults. • is actively engaged in learning and is connected to the school and broader community.  • has access to personalized learning and to qualified, caring adults. • is prepared for success in college or further study and for employment in a global environment.  • For more information, visit: www.ascd.org/wholechild

4. The National Governors’ Association (NGA) says… “Policymakers need to focus oneliminating the barriers that affect these lower-performing students’ readiness to learn. Among these barriers are physical and mental health conditions that impact students’ school attendance and their ability to pay attention in class, control their anger, and restrain self-destructive impulses.” Improving Academic Performance by Meeting Student Health Needs, 2000

5. The American Cancer Society says…“[Children] …who face violence, hunger, substance abuse, unintended pregnancy, and despair cannot possibly focus on academic excellence. There is no curriculum brilliant enough to compensate for a hungry stomach or a distracted mind.”National Action Plan for Comprehensive School Health Education. 1992

6. Comprehensive School Health Education Family & Community Involvement Physical Education School-site Health Promotion for Staff School Health Services Nutrition Services Healthy School Environment Counseling, Psychological & Social Services Componentsof a coordinated school health program

8. All rights reserved David K. Lohrmann Indiana University

9. Coordinated School Health Program A recent literature review determined that Coordinated School Health Programs show significant promise for improving academic outcomes for children through influencing eight interactive components of a child’s life at school. Murray, Nancy, et al. “Coordinated School Health Programs and Academic Achievement: A Systematic Review of the Literature.” Journal of School Health November 2007; 77(9).

10. Additional Support for CSH Indiana Code 20-26-9-18 • Before July 1, 2007, each school board shall establish a coordinated school health advisory council (referred to as the "advisory council" in this section). The advisory council may review the corporation's wellness policies on a yearly basis and suggest to the school board for approval changes to the policies that comply with the requirements of federal Public Law 108-265 and IC 5-22-15-24(c) before July 1 of each year. The advisory council must hold at least one (1) hearing at which public testimony about the local wellness policy being developed is allowed.    (b) The school board shall appoint the members of the advisory council, which must include the following:        (1) Parents.        (2) Food service directors and staff.        (3) Students.        (4) Nutritionists or certified dietitians.        (5) Health care professionals.        (6) School board members.        (7) A school administrator.        (8) Representatives of interested community organizations.    (c) The school board shall adopt a school district policy on child nutrition and physical activity that takes into consideration recommendations made by the advisory council.    (d) The department shall, in consultation with the state department of health, provide technical assistance to the advisory councils, including providing information on health, nutrition, and physical activity, through educational materials and professional development opportunities. The department shall provide the information given to an advisory council under this subsection to a school or parent upon request.

11. 1. School Environment What Indianapolis Public Schools did to improve School Environment:n Extend current health services to staff, students and communityn Will open the fitness center to the public in 2008n Will start a day care for students who are parents and will investigate events that will get families and businesses more involved in schools

12. 2. Health Education Brown County School Corporation improved Health Education by:n Developing a Healthy Kids Club, a 6 week program for 3rd gradersn During club meetings the students receive health education and participate in activities about physical health, nutritional health, relationships with family and friends, and mental health.

13. 3. School Meals and Nutrition Greencastle Community School Corporation improved nutrition by: n Adding more fresh fruits and vegetables at lunch, adding a salad bar at the high school, and removing fryers from all school kitchensn Sending home parent education material on nutrition.

14. 4. PhysicalEducation Goshen Community Schools improved physical education by:n Establishing a High School Physical Education class for credit that was specific to students who have health and self- esteem concerns (i.e. mostly overweight)n Created two walking paths at elementary schools to help bring fitness activities to the students and community

15. 5. HealthServices Batesville Community School Corporation committed to having a school nurse in every schooln Also promoted the nurse coordinator to the position of Director of Wellness Programs n Hired 1 additional nurse in 2006. n Health services in Batesville has a staff of 5 that serves 4 schools.

16. 6. Counseling, Psychological,and Mental Health Services Vigo County School Corporation focused on student mental health by:n Participating with a community agency involved in child abuse prevention, to create a program titled “Year of the Child.”n As a part of this program, a 5 county Health Fair, involving over 500 students and their families, is planned for February 2008

17. 7. StaffWellness Changes at the Southern Wells Community School Corporation have improved the health and fitness of staff members by:n Through the Southern Wells CSHP program, staff were able to receive free health screenings sponsored by the Blufton Regional Medical Center.n School staff were encouraged to be more active by providing after school programs for staff activities.

18. 8. Parent/CommunityPartnerships One of the most successful community/school collaborations is in Evansville. This partnership created:n Healthier Evansville Week, a whole week focused on physical fitness, nutrition, prevention, and making healthy choicesn Free activities for the community included corporate sponsored walks, lunch and learn series, and a community forum sponsored by public television where local success stories were shared.

19. Plato said… “In order for man to succeed in life, God provided him with two means, education and physical activity. Not separately, one for the soul and the other for the body, but for the two together. With these two means, man can attain perfection.”

20. Comments, Questions? Thank you!