Promoting Healthy Youth and Healthy Schools

Promoting Healthy Youth and Healthy Schools

By The School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC)

Reducing the Barriers to Learning

Community and Parental Involvement is one component of CSH

Every day in America,

children come to school not ready

to learn

Absenteeis

m

No AYP

ADHD

Bullying

AS

TH

MA

Diabetic

Health is Academic

“If schools do not deal with children’s health by design, they deal with it by default.”

Health is Academic, 1997

WE NEED YOUR HELP….

WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE SCPS SCHOOL BOARD THE HEALTH OF OUR

CHILDREN CAN IMPROVE

When student health improves, so will student achievement.

OUR PURPOSE

• Advises School Board on health issues that impact our Students

• Brings a diverse perspective to the discussion of school health

• Assists with developing policy for improved practices

• Supports SCPS with initiatives that address school health issues.

School Health Model

OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• SHAC met regularly throughout the year to discuss previous initiatives and new concerns.

• Reviewed SHAC Best Practices to Identify successful activities from SHAC across Virginia.

• Developed a Needs Assessment to drive discussion based on feedback from SCPS Staff.

MAJOR TOPICS OF DISCUSSION

• Gwyneth’s Law• Coordinators to Support Mental Health

Programs• Community Resources• School Nutrition and Wellness Policy• Challenges in Health Services• Impact of new National Meal Guidelines

Where we’ve been…

• In 2011-2012 School Year, SHAC recommendations included:

– Increased Salary for Nurses and nurse substitutes

– Funding a Caseworker for homeless students

– Implementing Olweus Bully Prevention Programs across the division

– Modifying the wellness policy to strengthen the elementary recess requirement.

Recommendations for 2013-2014

• Pay Nurses and Substitutes a fair and competitive wage.

• Support the implementation of a child abuse/domestic violence initiative to coordinate response to children living in abusive situations.

• Approve additional funding to fully utilize the student Gallup Poll results.

• Revise the School Wellness Policy to strengthen language regarding food safety.

• Prepare a Response To SHAC Recommendations Report each year to inform SHAC of deliberations, decisions, and action steps the Board have/will be taking to address the committee’s recommendations.

CONCLUSION

• The School Health Advisory Committee will continue to explore pertinent health topics that may be of interest to the school board, community members, and SCPS staff.

• The Committee thanks the School Board for the opportunity to support the health and welfare of our students.

Any Questions??