Additional Resources
New Report Features “Safe Routes to School” Success Stories
December 30, 2009 – A report released this month by the “Safe Routes to School National Partnership” shows how Safe Routes to School programs can be used to keep children safe from traffic dangers while walking and bicycling to school. The report describes the approaches five different communities used to implement Safe Routes to School.
Two Publications Help Prevent and Manage Diabetes among Youth
December 22, 2009 - Two recently released publications help school policymakers and staff better prevent and manage diabetes among youth. The first publication is a revised and updated school kit released by the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) American Indian/Alaska Native Work Group directed to prevent diabetes among American Indian youth – the ethnic group most affected by the disease. The second publication is a special feature of the September/October 2009 issue of the American Journal of Health Education, which covers an array of issues related to diabetes prevention, treatment and management among youth.
New Studies Put School Food Front and Center
December 11, 2009 - Several publications of new research are helping inform issues surrounding healthy eating and foods sold outside the federal school programs.
Archive Now Available: NSBA obesity webcast, "Leadership in Action"
December 7, 2009-If you missed NSBA's live webcast “Leadership in Action: Policymakers Addressing Childhood Obesity Through Collaboration and Policy Change,” it’s not too late! The archived webcast is now available online.
Celebrate National Handwashing Awareness Week
December 4, 2009 – National Handwashing Awareness Week, an event sponsored by Henry the Hand Foundation, is December 6 – 12, 2009. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), handwashing is the single most important means to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, such as the seasonal flu - which the CDC estimates kills 36,000 people each year - as well as other infections such as foodborne illnesses.
Last Chance to Register: December 1 Webcast on Childhood Obesity
November 30, 2009 - Don’t forget to tune in tomorrow, December 1, at 2:00pm EST (1:00pm CST, 12:00pm MST, 11:00am PST) for an NSBA-hosted webcast to hear national experts and local policymakers discuss policy strategies to address childhood obesity.
Celebrate World AIDS Day December 1
November 25, 2009 - World AIDS Day began in 1988 to help raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice, and increase awareness of HIV/AIDS. This year’s theme is “Universal Access and Human Rights,” as global leaders have pledged to work towards universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care, recognizing that these are fundamental human rights.
New Website on Limiting Exposure to PCBs
November 24, 2009 - In the last few years, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) learned that Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) have been found in the caulk used in schools built or renovated in the 1950’s through 1978. A build up of PCB’s in a child can potentially harm immune, reproductive, nervous, and endocrine systems.
Sharp Increase in Food Allergies among Children and Questions Remain Why
November 20, 2009 - A study published on the November 16, online edition of Pediatrics shows that reported food allergies – along with related visits to doctors and hospitals – have risen dramatically among children in the U.S. over the past decade. Nevertheless, the underlying causes are unclear.
Socioeconomic Characteristics of Teen Childbearing Vary from Public Opinion
November 19, 2009 - A new fact sheet released by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy shows that, contrary to public opinion, teen parents are not a monolithic group. It is widely believed that teen childbearing is, by and large, limited to teens below the federal poverty level and that live in a single-parent home. For instance, according to a 2009 public opinion polling data, 72% of adults with household incomes of $25,000 or less and 66% with incomes of 75,000 or more believe teen moms are from homes below the poverty level. In addition, most adults (70%), regardless of race or household income, believe that teen mothers are the product of single-parent home.
Upcoming NSBA webcast on childhood obesity: Register today!
November 12, 2009 - On December 1st at 2:00pm EST, join national experts and local policymakers for an in-depth discussion of key strategies state and local policymakers, including school boards and administrators, can use to address childhood obesity.
Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools Seeking Peer Reviewers
November 11, 2009 - The U.S. Department of Education Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools (OSDFS) is recruiting educators, policymakers, and other qualified experts to serve as peer reviewers for OSDFS grant proposals. The OSDFS peer review process is designed to ensure that each discretionary grant is awarded on the basis of evaluation selection criteria. OSDFS relies on peer reviewers to critically evaluate all submitted proposals to enable objective and independent recommendations.
New Comprehensive Report on Children’s Exposure to Violence
November 6, 2009 -Most of our nation’s children are exposed to violence in their daily lives according to a new report based on the National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence, which is sponsored by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The report reveals that more than 60 percent of children surveyed were exposed to violence within the past year, either directly or indirectly.
Scholarships Available to Attend the EPA’s Indoor Air Quality Symposium
November 4, 2009 - The American Association of School Administrators (AASA) is offering $1,200 in scholarships for school district teams to attend the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 10th Annual Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Symposium. The Symposium will be held from 6:00 pm on Wednesday, January 13 through 12:00 pm on Saturday, January 16, 2010, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, DC.
2009 Great American Smokeout
October 29, 2009 -- One of the best ways to keep teens from smoking is to make sure that their schools are 100% tobacco-free, and that school policies around the country are demanding it. How does your school’s policy measure up? The Great American Smokeout on November 19 marks a perfect opportunity to find out. On a day when smokers across the country are laying down their lighters, take a look at what your school is doing to keep teens from picking them up.
New Action for Healthy Kids Field Report: Bridging the Cultural Divide
October 22, 2009–One of the most challenging, but perhaps least discussed, issues in improving the physical activity and nutrition environments for children and youth is addressing cultural differences. A new field report from Action for Healthy Kids presents several successful initiatives and lessons learned that schools and communities can apply to help bridge the cultural divide.
School Lunch Week Was Celebrated This Week
October 16, 2009 – National School Lunch Week was celebrated from October 12 through October 16. According to the School Nutrition Association (SNA), the event was a success. This year’s theme, “All-Star School Lunch,” encouraged students to learn about the importance of healthy school meals and physical activity. School districts around the country celebrated the week with special NBA-inspired menus and invited parents, local celebrities, and area sports heroes to enjoy balanced and nutritious school lunches with students.
Celebrate October Events and Help Keep Children Healthy
October 5, 2009 - The month of October presents several opportunities for schools to enhance the physical, mental and emotional health of children.
The State of Nutrition in Schools and Around the Country: Innovations are Possible
October 1, 2009 – Two new reports discuss the current nutrition landscape within schools and around the country. The School Nutrition Association’s (SNA) “School Nutrition 2009 Survey” indicates that school nutrition programs have increased the prevalence of healthy options with peak gains seen in vegetarian offerings and low fat prepared/packaged foods. Nevertheless, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) first “State Indicator Report on Fruits and Vegetables, 2009” reveals that there is still a lot that needs to be changed in this front as, currently, no U.S. state is meeting national objectives for consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Health Literacy: an Essential Component of Education
September 25, 2009 - The National Education Association Health Information Network (NEA HIN) recently published the proceedings from its symposium on health literacy. The symposium, held in January of this year, gathered 30 experts and leaders from the fields of education, health, and philanthropy to begin a dialogue about what kind of K-12 educational infrastructure will be needed to prepare current and future students to participate in the 21st century’s health care systems.
New Issue Brief Shows How Greatly Education Affects Health
September 18, 2009 – An issue brief recently released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) shows that a large body of evidence strongly links education with health, even when other factors like income are taken into account. According to the brief, research shows that people with more education are likely to practice health-promoting behaviors and, therefore, live longer and experience better health outcomes.
New Guidance on School-Located Vaccination for H1N1
September 14, 2009 – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidance for school-located vaccinations (SLVs) for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus.
NSBA Webinar on H1N1 Preparedness in Schools
September 10, 2009 – The H1N1 flu did not take a summer vacation and is already showing up in schools around the country. So what should schools be doing now that kids have returned to school along with H1N1?
H1N1: Information for Schools
September 3, 2009 - The U.S. Department of Education has issued guidance to help state educational agencies (SEAs), local educational agencies (LEAs), schools, and postsecondary institutions deal with legal issues surrounding the management of an H1N1 outbreak during the 2009-2010 school year.
Celebrate National Walk to School Day
September 3, 2009—National Walk to School Day is October 7th, a great opportunity to promote safe walking and biking all year long in schools. Schools or school districts that register for Walk to School Day can access tools to help prepare for the event, receive a chance to win prizes, and receive a weekly e-newsletter with tips and other resources. Plus, it’s a chance for schools to be counted among the millions of International Walk to School participants.
New NSBA Webpage to Help Schools Prevent and Manage the H1N1 Pandemic
September 1, 2009 - NSBA’s School Health Programs has created a new webpage “H1N1 Planning for Schools” to help schools better understand, manage, and prevent an H1N1 outbreak. The webpage was designed for school leaders and staff to easily navigate through organized topics related to H1N1 and pandemic flu preparedness.
Participate in National Suicide Prevention Week
August 27, 2009 - National Suicide Prevention Week is September 6 – 12, 2009. This year’s theme is “A Global Agenda on the Science of Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery.” In 2006 alone, more than 33,000 people died by suicide in the U.S., and it is currently the 11th leading cause of death in the nation. According to the American Association of Suicidology (AAS), suicide prevention is everyone’s business and anyone can participate in Suicide Prevention Week, including schools.
Fruits and Veggies: More Matters
August 20, 2009 - September is back-to-school time and it’s also Fruits and Veggies – More Matters™ Month. This campaign presents a great opportunity to teach children that good nutrition is essential to helping them stay alert and learn better in the classroom as they return to school.
Two New Studies Show the Benefit of Using Evidence-Based Strategies to Prevent Tobacco Use among Youth
August 13, 2009 -- Given that tobacco causes close to 440,000 deaths every year, and 90% of Americans who smoke started smoking before they turned 18, preventing adolescents from smoking initiation has become a major public health issue, making it increasingly important for policymakers to have a good understanding of why young people smoke.
New obesity prevention recommendations and wellness policy research
August 7, 2009—The CDC has issued recommendations for obesity prevention strategies, and a new report indicates the quality and implementation of local wellness policies could be improved.
Our New e-Newsletter is Now Available Online!
August 4, 2009 – The first issue of Health Link, NSBA’s new e-newsletter is now available online.
New Report Provides Key Indicators on the Well-Being of America’s Children
July 31, 2009 - The Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics has released a report that provides a summary of key indicators on the well-being of our nation’s children.
New School Health Policy Guide for Preventing Childhood Obesity
July 24, 2009—The National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) has published a policy guide to help school leaders and policymakers better prevent and address childhood obesity.
Local wellness policy implementation: new research and online tool
July 17, 2009—A new research brief released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation shows that local wellness policy implementation within school districts could be strengthened.
Two new reports advocate for keeping policy focused on nutrition and obesity
July 9, 2009—Two new national reports urge policymakers to keep efforts focused on nutrition- and obesity-related issues.
New study: parents have less influence on children’s eating behaviors than previously thought; Joint use agreements as a wellness tool
July 2, 2009—A recent study published by the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health indicates that parental influences on the eating habits of children and youth may be weaker than previously thought.
Historic new law regulates tobacco products
June 26, 2009 -- This week, President Obama signed into law bipartisan legislation granting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority to regulate the manufacturing, marketing and sale of tobacco products. This law, The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, is the strongest action the federal government has ever taken to reduce tobacco use.
Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in the U.S., and 1,000 kids become regular smokers every day. Nearly 90 percent of smokers start smoking before the age of 18.
Apply for EPA’s Indoor Air Quality Awards
June 25, 2009 - Want your school or school district to be honored for its commitment to improve children’s health by promoting good indoor air quality (IAQ)? Apply for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) IAQ TfS Awards.
Celebrate National HIV Testing Day
June 19, 2009 - National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) is June 27. This event was initiated in 1995 by the National Association of People with AIDS to encourage people to “Take the Test, Take Control.” Currently, almost 40 percent of people with HIV are not diagnosed until after they developed AIDS and that can be up to 10 years after they first become infected. Finding out HIV status is the first step to improving the health of those infected and reducing transmission.
New toolkit helps school and community policymakers create healthier schools and communities
June 11, 2009 - Leadership for Healthy Communities recently launched the new Action Strategies Toolkit: A Guide for Local and State Leaders Working to Create Healthy Communities and Prevent Childhood Obesity.
School Connectedness is Focus of New CDC Publication
June 4, 2009 - A new publication on school connectedness recently released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that, when students feel connected to school, they are more likely to succeed academically and engage in healthy behaviors.
New National Survey of Children’s Health
May 28, 2009 - The 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) has just been released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics. The 2007 survey examined the physical and emotional health of children and special emphasis was placed on medical homes, family interactions, parental health, school and after-school experiences, and safe neighborhoods.
World No Tobacco Day and the Truth About Philip Morris' "Education" Campaign
May 21, 2009 -- World No Tobacco Day is celebrated globally every year on May 31st. The event, sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO), is an opportunity to educate the public on the negative health outcomes associated with tobacco use and the deceitful marketing practices of tobacco companies, and is also a means of protecting future generations from the harmful effects of tobacco.
Increase Your School’s Food Allergy Awareness
May 11, 2009 - Food Allergy Awareness Week is May 10-16, a time to focus public awareness on this growing health problem. Along with the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN), the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is encouraging all Americans to help those affected by this life-limiting condition.
May is National Youth Traffic Safety Month; Safe Routes to School Programs Policy Report
Help keep students safe and healthy while traveling to and from school: start a Safe Routes to Schools Program in your district and celebrate National Youth Traffic Safety Month.
May is National Physical Fitness & Sports Month
April 30, 2009—May is National Physical Fitness & Sports Month—a great opportunity to get students up and moving, and to encourage them to get involved in different fitness and sports activities they can continue over a lifetime. Physically fit students not only stay healthier but also reap a multitude of additional benefits.
Celebrate the National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
April 23, 2009 - The National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy is May 6, 2009. According to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, the purpose of the day is straightforward: too many teens still think “It can’t happen to me.”
Celebrate National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day
April 16, 2009 - Celebrated on May 7, 2009, Awareness Day is a day for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the initiatives and communities it supports to promote positive youth development, resilience, recovery, and the transformation of mental health services delivery for children and youth with serious mental health needs and their families.
NEW! Promising District Practices Website
April 14, 2009 - NSBA’s School Health Programs department is pleased to announce a new online resource: the Promising District Practices website. This website shares success stories related to school health policies and practices being implemented in school districts and schools around the country.
Celebrate Asthma Awareness Month
April 8, 2009 - Asthma can negatively impact student and staff health and school performance. Besides being one the most common serious chronic illness among children, it is also one the leading causes of school absenteeism. In 2003, an estimated 12.8 million school days were missed due to asthma.
Celebrate National Healthy Schools Day
April 3, 2009 – National Healthy Schools Day is April 27, 2009. Sponsored by the National Healthy Schools Network, Inc. and the National Coalition for Healthier Schools, this day promotes and celebrates healthy school environments that are conducive to learning and protect school occupants. The day unites schools, parents, personnel, advocates, and agencies nationwide to promote healthy and green school environments for all children and school staff.
Learn about the latest in school health: Sign up for our new RSS feed
April 1, 2009 - The National School Boards Association’s School Health Programs is pleased to announce a useful and exciting addition to its Updates and Special Announcements webpage: the RSS Feed.
Upcoming Webcast on Cyberbullying
March 27, 2009 - On April 22, the Stop Bullying Now! Campaign will host a webcast on cyberbullying. The webcast will help participants learn about best practices in cyberbullying prevention and intervention and how to lend support when bullying occurs.
Celebrate Kick Butts Day
March 19, 2009 - March 25, 2009 marks the fourteenth annual Kick Butts Day, an event that encourages young people to stand up against the tobacco industry. Participation is particularly important this year in light of new research indicating that tobacco companies have greatly increased efforts to target women and girls with purse-friendly packaging, and “slim,” “light,” and “feminine” products.
New Findings on Diabetes among Youth
March 11, 2009 - New findings from the nation’s largest study of diabetes in youth, called SEARCH, shows that the disease is one of the most common chronic diseases in children and adolescents and that its occurrence is on the rise among every racial and ethnic group. Study results are presented in the March supplement of Diabetes Care within five articles related to these specific populations: non-Hispanic whites, Hispanics, blacks, Asian/Pacific Islanders and American Indians/Navajo Nation.
Celebrate National Nutrition Month
March 6, 2009 – March is National Nutrition Month (NNM). This year’s theme is “Eat Right.” Created by the American Dietetic Association, the campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. This celebration provides a great opportunity for schools to increase awareness about the importance of eating healthy as well as revise and develop nutrition policies and programs.
New Research: Physical Activity During School Improves Classroom Behavior
February 26, 2009--A new study published in the February 2009 issue of Pediatrics indicates that when children are given at least one break of 15 minutes or more during the school day, their classroom behavior improves. This research adds to the growing body of evidence that physical activity during the school day can provide myriad benefits for student health and academic achievement.
Celebrate National School Breakfast Week
February 20, 2009 – Growing research shows that children who eat breakfast have improved memory, problem-solving skills, verbal fluency and creative abilities, and are better able to ward off obesity. National School Breakfast Week (NSBW) is March 2-6, 2009. The main goals of NSBW are to share important messages with students, parents and the media including:
1) The SBP is available in many schools, meets dietary guidelines and is a tasty and fun way to start the school day; 2) There is an established link between eating breakfast and academic success; and 3) Eating a nutritious breakfast can help kids maintain a healthy weight.
New Youth-Related Resources from the CDC
February 16, 2009 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) has released new resources to help schools keep students healthy and ready to learn: 1) A new noise-induced hearing loss webpage; 2) New School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS) 2006 District Report Cards and fact sheets; and 3) An updated Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT).
Celebrate the Great American Spit-Out
Just as the Great American Smokeout is celebrated every November, so is the Great American Spit-Out every February. Spit tobacco often conjures images of older men, baseball players, and cowboys, but according to the 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 13.4% of high school boys reported current spit tobacco use.
Special Report on Childhood Obesity Puts Spotlight on School Leaders
February 5, 2009—A special report in the February 2009 issue of the American School Board Journal highlights ways in which school leaders can support wellness and combat childhood obesity in their districts.
Report Shows the Benefits of a School Breakfast Program
January 29, 2009 - In these tough economic times, the face of hunger is a familiar one – it has struck not only the poor, but people of other socioeconomic levels as well. Of the 35 million Americans currently affected by hunger, 10 million are children. What are the effects of hunger on children, the educational system, and the nation? What would an increase in school breakfast programs do to curb such a problem?
New Cyberbullying Prevention Package for Schools
January 22, 2009 – NSBA’s Technology Leadership Network has partnered with CyberSmart! to distribute their free Cyberbullying Package to schools nationwide. The package was developed by examining all current research findings and best practices on cyber security, school violence prevention, and character education. The package offers schools the opportunity to begin a dialogue with students and build a sustained cyberbullying prevention campaign.
Saved by the Lunch Bell: As Economy Sinks, School Nutrition Program Participation Rises
January 15-- The School Nutrition Association has published an analysis of student participation in free and reduced price breakfast and lunch programs during the 2008-2009 school year. The report, Saved by the Lunch Bell: As Economy Sinks, School Nutrition Program Participation Rises, which examines 137 school nutrition programs in districts of varying size in 38 states, appears as a follow up to Heats On: School Meals Under Financial Pressure, published in September 2008.
School Nutrition Policy Changes Children’s Dietary Habits
January 9, 2009 - A study published in the January 2009 issue of the Journal of Nutrition shows that a policy restricting the availability of unhealthy snacks in elementary schools led to an increase in fruit and vegetable consumption among fifth-graders.