Week of 1/31/11: Healthy schools snippets

First Lady’s kids’ health initiatives targets schools

Let’s Move in School, a national initiative to increase physical activity before, during, and after school was introduced to thousands of U.S. schools this week. In support of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign, the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance and its National Association for Sport and Physical Education hosted a national Let’s Move in School webinar bringing together leading education, health and sport organizations to advance school-based physical activity.

Schools can get started by planning a Let’s Move in School celebration during National Physical Education and Sport Week, May 1-7, 2011. Schools that register their event online by March 28 will be eligible to win a visit from a President’s Council for Fitness, Sports & Nutrition member – a federal supporter of this initiative. To register a school celebration, find out more about the initiative, and access promotional videos, tools and more visit www.LetsMoveInSchool.org. Read more in this PR Newswire press release.

BVSD sticks with healthy lunches, might raise prices

Boulder Valley School District is continuing support for its healthy lunch program, though the school board might need to cut costs or raise meal prices next year to create financial stability. Read more in the Broomfield Enterprise.

Gym teachers, students honor LaLanne by stretching

Physical education teachers, students, coaches and fitness experts plan to honor the memory of fitness guru Jack LaLanne by stretching and doing calisthenics.

Members of the Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance in California and Massachusetts will lead the “Moment of Movement” on Tuesday at 11:15 a.m before his memorial service later in the day at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills memorial park. They say LaLanne would prefer that his fans remember him with exercise rather than a moment of silence. Read more in the San Jose Mercury News.

Windsor school digs into new composting program

Michael Lang understands the importance of composting any food waste and other products during lunchtime. Watch this 7 News report.

Head lice – and school policies – can present problems

Fewer things provoke more disgust (even though they present no public health threat) than head lice. More and more parents are discovering this tiny beast, which spreads from head-to-head contact, in young children’s hair. Read more in the Los Angeles Times about this national phenomenon.

Podcast: School nurse shortage

Listen to Kathy Patrick, the Colorado Department of Education’s principal consultant for school health services and a state school nurse consultant, discuss how fewer nurses are coping with increasing needs and more serious illnesses. In some cases, untrained school workers are required to pick up the slack. Download the podcast here. Click here to read EdNews’ in-depth story, “Fewer school nurses, more sick students.”

School health centers improves grades

About 1,900 U.S. school-based health centers that deliver comprehensive healthcare to students are improving academic success, a non-profit group says. Read more at UPI.

Video games benefit girls if parent plays

Girls who play video games with a parent behave better, feel more connected to their family and have stronger mental health, U.S. researchers say. Read more at UPI.

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