Coordinated School Health Programs

Schools most pressing issues typically are: improving test scores, funding, and safety.

Coordinated school health can positively impact all of those, as well as improve the quality of life for
students and staff.

 Something to Ponder…

Think about the students in your school/community

What health behaviors compromise their ability to succeed academically?

What’s the impact on your school district?

 Some common issues…

Not enough sleep Hungry, poor nutrition

Substance abuse problems

Tardiness to class because of smoking

Stressed-out

Afraid of violence

Family/peer problems that occupy their thinking

Sick, and don’t have health care available

  What often happens in schools…

Health-related programs and activities are fragmented

No one is fully aware of what others are doing

Student’s health needs are unmet

Coordinated School Health Program

A planned and coordinated school-based program that is designed to enhance child and adolescent health.
A framework around which existing and future district- and school-level programs and services Can be
organized. Successful programs usually start small.. These programs are built one year at a time, not in a
burst of inspiration.

1. School Environment
To learn effectively, children must:

Feel comfortable and supported

Attend a safe, properly functioning school

Have minimal distractions

We’ve learned that students really pay attention to their physical environment. Research indicates that an
attractive, literary-rich environment will have many positive subconscious and conscious affects on the
child.

 2. Health Education in School

staff can work together to develop an ongoing approach to help students build health-related knowledge
and skills from kindergarten through high school graduation.

3. School Meals and Nutrition

Students often eat one or two meals a day at school

We have lots of opportunities to improve the quality of food that children consume in school. We can look
beyond the school cafeteria to make improvements.

Vending machines

Snack policies for classroom parties

Using food as a reward

4. Physical Education

Physical activity can build self-esteem and leadership skills and reduce stress. Brain research indicates a
direct correlation between physical activity and a child’s potential to learn. Increased physical activity
actually creates more dendrites within the brain cell. Physical activity also provides the brain with increased
blood flow and oxygen.

5. Health Services Growing

Kids require a regular health “maintenance” program, including immunizations, dental checkups, physicals,
and eye exams. A child’s brain is 225% more active than an adults.

6. Counseling, Psychological, and Mental Health Services

Many students have the added stress of coping with emotional challenges. In Kremmling, a recent student
survey indicated that virtually ALL students experience some type of stress during the school day. Over
60% indicated that they were extremely stressed.
7. Staff Wellness The Reality:
Educators and school staff are important role models. Successful schools have healthy, highly motivated
staff with low rates of employee absenteeism. Nationwide, 60% of teachers report that they experience high
and extremely unhealthy degrees of stress.

8. Parent/Community Partnerships
Benefits:A closer working relationship between parents and schools. Parents, businesses and community
groups, and schools can form powerful coalitions to address health needs of students

 How Coordinated School Health Benefits Students

 Improved student performance and test scores

 Decreased risky behaviors
 Reduced drop out rates
 Less absenteeism
 Less fighting
 Improved rates of physical activity
 Avenue to increase family involvement

ACTIVITY:

Plan a one-week meal for a Senior-high school student. Meals should be healthy and affordable. Be
realistic!

Submission – February 15, 2021