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2011
 | 4/5/2011 - Happy National Healthy Schools Day! The health and wellbeing of students is critical to achieving success in school. This issue of Link to Learning provides resources, tools and information on opportunities to help promote and support student health and wellbeing. |
In This Issue
National Healthy Schools Day is a great opportunity to highlight the importance of clean indoor air in schools. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, levels of exposure to indoor pollutants can be two to five times higher than outdoor levels. With approximately 56 million people spending their days inside elementary and secondary schools, a healthy indoor environment can be critical to learning and attendance. Visit the National Healthy Schools Day website for suggested activity ideas to celebrate.
The 6th Biennial Childhood Obesity Conference is the nation’s largest, most influential collaboration of professionals dedicated to combating pediatric obesity. The conference will showcase the latest research, evidence-based best practices, and policy/environmental change strategies. Conference strands of interest include: Built Environment, Land Use and Transportation; Community Nutrition and Physical Activity, and School/After School Programs and Policies.
California Food Policy Advocates, through its BreakfastFirst Campaign, is hosting an interactive series of hour-long webinars about building and sustaining effective school breakfast programs. The BreakfastFirst Campaign is a three-year initiative to improve access, participation, and nutritional quality in school breakfast programs across California. The BreakfastFirst webinar series is presented in partnership with California Action for Healthy Kids.
Created in partnership by National Dairy Council and the National Football League in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture, Fuel Up to Play 60 empowers youth to take action to improve their own health by implementing long-term, positive changes for themselves and their schools emphasizing nutrient dense food choices/options and being physical activity 60 minutes each day. Students and schools design programs that fit the needs of their schools using the Fuel Up to Play 60’s tools and resources. Program components include an interactive website and the potential to receive a Wellness Activation Kit, opportunities for grants to increase School Breakfast participation, youth social media partnerships and other rewards for participation. Dairy Council of California is the local partner to help bring Fuel Up to Play 60 to schools in California.
The HealthierUS School Challenge is a voluntary initiative established in 2004 to recognize those schools participating in the National School Lunch Program that have created healthier school environments through promotion of nutrition and physical activity. Incorporated into Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign, this recognition program now includes monetary awards. Through the initiative, four levels of school performance are awarded: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Gold of Distinction.
More than 30 percent of low-income California children and teens are overweight or obese with the highest rates being among Californians of Latino, American Indian, African American and Pacific Islander descent. In addition, research demonstrates that children’s overall health is significantly related to academic achievement and in particular, studies show a link between physical activity and academic performance. The John W. Gardner Center for Youth and Their Communities at Stanford University conducted research to understand the effects of participating in after school programs on Latino and other students’ obesity and physical fitness outcomes.
Each year, through the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools - Carol M. White Physical Education Program CFDA Number 84.215F, the Carol M. White Physical Education Program awards millions of dollars to schools and community-based organizations to initiate, expand, and improve physical education programs. Due date: May 13.
Whooping cough (pertussis) has been widespread in California. Assembly Bill 354, now chaptered into California law, requires students to be immunized against pertussis. For the 2011-12 school year, all students entering 7th through 12th grades will need proof of a Tdap booster shot before starting school. Beginning July 1, 2012 and beyond, all students entering the 7th grade will need proof of a Tdap booster shot before starting school. For more information about this requirement and where to find a location to have pertussis administered, visit the California Department of Public Health’s new website.