Raymond O. Chimezie, Ph.D. Teacher/Coordinator Grant School Health & Wellness Project Grant School, Richmond, California

 Teaching health education and promotion relentlessly to school children is a preventive measure far more effective and productive than paying for incarceration and rehabilitation  California has more incarcerated youth 11,532 than any other state in the nation.  It costs about $47,000 per year to incarcerate an inmate in prison in California.  Average per pupil spending in California $8,341 lower than national average of 11, 864 

 It is a school and community partnership.  It integrates academics, youth development, family support, health and social services, and community development.  Comprehensive academic, social, and health services for students, students’ family members, and community members that will result in improved educational outcomes for children. 

 Schools can improve the health and learning of students by supporting opportunities to learn about and practice healthy behaviors, providing school health services, creating safe and positive school environments, and engaging families and community. This evidence supports Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child as a potential framework for achieving national educational and health goals-(Michael et al., (2015). Michael, S. L., Merlo, C.L., Basch, C. E., Wentzel, K.R., & Wechsler, H. (2015). Critical Connections: Health and Academics.  Retrieved from:

 Reform to reduce or eliminate health related barriers to student academic and personal success  Reinforce health promoting behaviors in students and provide skills to avoid negative health practices.  Mitigate the six common risks that cause premature mortality and morbidity among young children.

 Behaviors that result in intentional/unintentional injuries  Tobacco use  Alcohol and drug use and abuse  Sexual behavior-premature (teen parenthood).  Poor dietary practice or behavior  Dislike for physical activity  Source:

 More than 1 in 3 youth are overweight or obese.  Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years.  42 million children under the age of 5 were overweight or obese in  Teen pregnancy: 249,078 babies born to women aged in 2014  Youth use and exposure to tobacco including E- cigarettes)  Electronics addiction. Example TV in kids rooms

 According to the National Institutes of Health, obesity and overweight can increase the risk of illness and death from many chronic diseases, including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, osteoarthritis, poor mental health, and cancers of the breast, prostate, and colon. Also, it can cause problems with reproduction, high total cholesterol, liver and gallbladder disease; sleep apnea and respiratory problems- Centers for Disease Prevention and Control

 Employee health & wellness is part of school health.  Teacher stress affects students learning and teacher efficiency.  Teachers particularly are stressed from:  Lesson planning and differentiating instructions  Accountability for students performance  Classroom management and size  Lack of administrative support, too much paper work  Difficult students and pressure from parents  Changing curriculum, professional development & teaching style  Teacher evaluation, poor wage, combo classrooms  Pressure from district & preparing for exams and tests  Flu transmission from students  Adaptation to technology, & online resources  Employee health promotion and education improves productivity 

 Establishing healthy behaviors during childhood is easier and more effective than trying to change unhealthy behaviors during adulthood.  Schools play a critical role in promoting the health and safety of young people and helping them establish lifelong healthy behavior patterns. Research shows a link between good health of young people and their academic success.  Collaboration between schools and communities greatly impact health outcomes of young people community schools.  Enables employees/teachers act as role models  Source: CDC. Retrieved from

 Research demonstrates a positive association between healthy behaviors and academic grades.  Higher levels of physical activity can improve self- esteem, reduce anxiety, and stress.  Creates awareness of health education and promotion  for students, staff, and community  Provides tools and education to help students embrace, live, and enjoy a healthy lifestyle.

 Grant health ambassador program: teaching peers to influence their peers more positively  Creating meaningful roles for students as allies, decision makers, planners, and consumers shows a commitment to prepare them for the challenges of today and the possibilities of tomorrow (Morse, L. L. & Allensworth, D.D. (2015).  Help at lunch by encouraging students to eat fruits and vegetables  Discourage eating of chips, sweetened foods, and inactivity  Help keep environment clean  Act as role model for homes and families  Early exposure to and appreciation of good health  Adopt and promote healthy lifestyle Source: Morse, L. L. & Allensworth, D.D. (2015). Placing Students at the Center: The Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Model. Retrieved from

 Form School Health Advisory committee  Merge Tool Box & Mindfulness with Health  Adopt/design an integrated health program  Designate a coordinator for health program  Incorporate health & wellness in employee PD  Seek partnership from the community  Institute a prize/award for excellence

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Visit our web site for more information about what we have done at Grant School, Richmond.