HEART MONTH - WHAT CAN SCHOOLS DO?
by Shelly Lock, Program Development Coordinator
February 06, 2010
Schools play an incredibly important role in shaping the lifelong health and well-being of children and adolescents. February, American Heart Month, reminds of the significance of this role. America faces an epidemic of childhood obesity and concerns that the health problems related to this obesity will lead to this generation of children being the first to not live longer than the previous generation. To combat this growing epidemic, the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation united in 2005 and formed the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. The Alliance created the Healthy Schools Program, which is working to improve schools in the areas of nutrition, physical activity, and staff wellness. The goal of the Alliance is to stop the nationwide increase in childhood obesity and to take steps to help all children live longer and healthier lives. The Alliance is having a positive impact on the places that can make a difference to a child’s health: homes, schools, and communities. The American Heart Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics also offer great support to communities for improving children’s health. Schools can utilize resources from these and other programs to make heart healthy changes for children.
Schools can consider change in various areas that impact students’ health:
- improve the nutritional value of food served in and out of cafeterias
- increase physical activity opportunities during the school day and after school
- implement quality health and physical education programs
- offer programs for staff wellness
- offer support and resources for families
- establish school-wide healthy goals
Schools can also offer professional development for staff and workshops for families to increase knowledge about heart health. CPR training, offered through the American Heart Association or the Red Cross, provides valuable skills and information to staff and parents. Schools can execute a health fair in conjunction with the community, offering resources and support for healthy children. Many schools participate in programs such as Jump Rope for Heart (American Heart Association) to raise awareness and money for heart health.
The following websites offer supportive information to schools:
www.americanheart.org (Alliance for a Healthier Generation tab)
PPP offers support and resources in helping schools encourage healthy families. The PPP Wellness Notebook is filled with family modules and activities that can be done in the classroom on various health topics. PPP also offers on-site family health and wellness workshops. Do your part to promote heart healthy children!
