Starting a Healthy School Team

Why is Health Important? Good health is necessary for academic success It is difficult for students to be successful in school if they are: Depressed Stressed Tired Being bullied Sick Hungry

Why is Health Important? A child’s physical, emotional, social, & mental health directly affects capacity to learn Higher needs of this hierarchy come into focus for students once lower needs in pyramid are satisfied. Students will have a hard time learning if their basic physiological, safety, belongingness & love needs, as well as self esteem needs are not met. Physiological needs include breathing, food, water, and sleep. Safety needs are particularly in jeopardy for students who are at risk, poor, or members of minority groups. Safety needs include one’s health and well-being. Social needs include friendship and having a supportive and communicative family. Esteem needs include one’s desire to be respected, to have self-esteem, self-respect, and to respect others. Aesthetic needs include the human need to have beautiful imagery or something new and aesthetically pleasing Self-actualization is the instinctual need to make most of your abilities and to strive to be the best you can be.

Health Risk Behaviors of Young People Behaviors that may result in unintentional injuries and violence Sexual risk behaviors Alcohol and other drug use Tobacco use Unhealthy dietary behaviors Inadequate physical activity These 6 risk behaviors contribute to the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among youth and adults and are preventable!

Florida Statistics High School Students: 2005 1 in 4 is overweight &/or at risk for overweight 14.5% of students seriously considered suicide during the past year 1 in 6 students are current cigarette smokers 2 of 5 students reported current alcohol use 40% of students report ≥3 hours daily TV on school day Statistics taken from the 2005 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) administered by the Florida Departments of Health and Education. Additional stats can be found at: http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Disease_ctrl/epi/Chronic_Disease/YRBS/Intro.htm.

Obstacles to Academics Poor health Food insecurity Physical condition of a school Absences Discipline problems Mental health issues Children’s physical, cognitive, & emotional health is linked to their readiness to learn and ability to achieve academic success.

Why Schools? Most young people enrolled in school School health programs can improve students’ Health knowledge, attitudes, and skills Health behaviors and health outcomes Social outcomes Educational outcomes

What is Coordinated School Health (CSH)? Systemic method of promoting health that brings together teams of people in eight areas who are able to address all aspects of student health Healthy students are fit and ready to learn Schools deliver consistent health messages Schools coordinate existing resources Individualized means to wellness

What is Coordinated School Health (CSH)? These 8 areas, when looked at in a coordinated manner, are highly effective in addressing the health risk behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death, disability, and social problems among youth and adults in the United States.

CSH: A Solution to Problem Keeping kids healthy over time Supporting a student’s capacity to learn Help students develop knowledge and skills to make smart choices for life Reinforcing positive behaviors throughout the day Making it clear good health and learning go hand in hand A coordinated school health approach at the school level can assist in reaching the ultimate goal of producing students that are productive members of society.

Benefits of CSH Approach Reduced school absenteeism Fewer behavior problems in classroom Improved student performance More positive spirit among educators and students Reduced duplication between schools and community activity

Steps for Healthy School Team Success Gather team members Identify school needs Identify local school resources Write a School Health Action Plan Manage and monitor implementation Market success There are 6 basic steps that can be followed to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of healthy school team efforts.

Step 1: Gather Team Members Seek faculty/staff who have a commitment to the cause Look for community partners to join team Secure administrator support Set time for regularly scheduled meetings This is a good opportunity to look for community and parent support in your effort to improve health of students and faculty/staff. Students can be excellent partners in this mission as well.

Step 2: Identify School Needs Investigate state & local survey results Florida Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) Local YRBS in Broward, Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, Orange, and Palm Beach Identify health issues & concerns of students, families, & school staff by completing the School Health Index: A Self-Assessment and Planning Guide YRBS data available every odd year for high school students. Results are posted on the DOH website at: http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Disease_ctrl/epi/Chronic_Disease/YRBS/Intro.htm. Additional information about the School Health Index can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at: www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth.

School Health Index Uses a coordinated school health approach Identifies strengths and weaknesses of their health promotion policies & programs Develops an action plan for improving student health Involves teachers, parents, students & community in improving school programs, policies, & services

Step 3: Identify Local School Resources Look up your district’s Wellness Policy posted in the Food and Nutrition section of district website Contact your district’s School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) for support Work with your School Advisory Council (SAC) Identifying current initiatives & policies around health and wellness can help avoid duplication of programs or services. The district’s SHAC, according to state law, should be patterned after the coordinated school health model.

Step 4: Write a School Health Action Plan Use results of needs assessment to develop action plan Consider short & long-term goals for team Document actions, steps to complete actions, and person & date responsible Sponsor/promote projects for students, parents, & school The School Health Index has an action plan imbedded within the document.

Step 5: Manage & Monitor Implementation Reflect on action plan to monitor progress Meet regularly with team members Recognize members for accomplishments

Step 6: Market Success Celebrate successes Spread the word about successful healthy school team accomplishments Remind key stakeholders about benefits of healthy students & staff, which in turn affect educational success

Summary Coordinated school health approach can: increase healthy behaviors impact students’ academic achievement Empower students with knowledge, skills, & judgment to help them make smart choices in life Creating a Healthy School Team manual available from Florida Department of Education: www.fldoe.org/BII/CSHP For more information, visit Florida Department of Education’s Coordinated School Health Program website and select “Healthy Schools” section. You may also contact the Healthy School Coordinator at 866-312-6497.