For additional resources on these topics and others related to school health
education and services, visit the School Health Program website at
www.dshs.state.tx.us/schoolhealth
Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child
The education, public health, and school health sectors have each called for greater alignment, integration, and collaboration between education and health to improve each child’s cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development. Public health and education serve the same children, often in the same settings. The Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) focuses on the child to align the common goals of both sectors.
The WSCC model expands on the eight elements of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) coordinated school health approach and is combined with the whole child framework. CDC and ASCD developed this expanded model—in collaboration with key leaders from the fields of health, public health, education, and school health—to strengthen a unified and collaborative approach designed to improve learning and health in our nation’s schools.
Postings and Notifications:
2015 Awards for Excellence in Texas School Health – Call for Applications
EXTENDED DEADLINE: MAY 4, 2015
The AFE program awardsapproximately $13,500.00 in CASH prizes to schools and districts that implement effective school health programs to improve the lifelong physical, mental and social well-being of students, staff and the greater school community.Sponsored by the Texas Department of State Health Services, School Health Program and funded by the Texas Health Institute and the Texas Pediatric Society Foundation, thisinitiative, now in its 26th year,grants programs just getting started with seed money and recognizes andrewards existing, successful programs and
those that have made improvements or expansions to programs awarded in the past. To learn more and to access an application and instructions, go to www.dshs.state.tx.us/schoolhealth/awards.shtmor contact Ellen Smith at or 512-776-2140.
“Step UP and Be COUNTED” Campaign and Survey for Texas School Nurses – Deadline: June 15, 2015
This notice serves as both an invitation to participate in this national data collection project as well as give you basic information about the survey. The survey is a collaborative project between the National Association of School Nurses, the National Association of State School Nurse Consultants, the Texas School Nurse Organization and the Texas Department of State Health Services. For more information on the national data collection project, go tohttps://www.nasn.org/Research/StepUpBeCounted. The preference is that each district will collect individual campus level data, combine it for inclusion into the survey, and enter the data as one entry for the school district. However, if there are school districts that are unable to collect cumulative district level data, a way has been provided that the campus level nurse can complete the survey.It is requested that the campus level nurses communicate the importance of district level data collection to their administration and try to have data collected at the district level. However, individual campuses are allowed to report into the survey as well. To access the survey, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/StepUPandBeCountedTEXAS. For a copy of the survey questions, go to http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/schoolhealth/default.shtm. For additional information and questions about the program, contact Anita Wheeler-Hill, MSN, RN at or 512-776-2909.
Recognize the Impactful Work of Innovative Programs and Former Teen Parents with an Award Nomination Deadline: April 30, 2015
Healthy Teen Network's Annual Awards Program recognizes programs, groups, and individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to promote the health and well-being of youth through personal or professional efforts. Awards will be presented during Youth 360°: How & Where Youth Live, Learn, and Play Matters. Awards are presented in the following categories:
· Outstanding Teen Parent:
· Outstanding Emerging Innovation
For more information, go to http://healthyteennetwork.org/awards.
Webinars, Conferences, Trainings, and Professional Development:
Free Education Resource - Helping Students Make Good Digital Decisions with Digital Compass Webinar
April 29, 2015, 3:00PM CDT
Join Common Sense Education for a live, interactive presentation to launch a new free education resource, Digital Compass, and learn how to implement Digital Compass into a digital citizenship program. Based on the concept of "choose your own adventure" books, Digital Compass guides students in grades 6-9 to learn the fundamentals of digital citizenship through animated, interactive experiences in which students choose several different paths for each character. To learn more and register go to www.instantpresenter.com/AccountManager/RegEv.aspx?PIID=ED57D784824F.
Archived Webinar on Chikungunya in the United States
The National Association of County and City Health Officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have released an archived version of the webinar "Chikungunya in the United States." Marc Fischer, a CDC medical epidemiologist, provides information on chikungunya virus disease epidemiology, diagnosis, surveillance, and response in the United States. Access the webinar at https://naccho.adobeconnect.com/_a1053915029/p9ab16lxg1u/?launcher=false&fcsContent=true&pbMode=normal.
Connecting Chronic Health Conditions with School Attendance: Improving Data Collection and Use – Recorded Webinar Available for Viewing
Chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes and food allergies play an important role in school attendance. Over 800 people joined to learn more about this topic in National Association of Chronic Disease Directors’ recent webinar “Connecting Chronic Health Conditions with School Attendance: Improving Data Collection and Use.” View the webinar slides at http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/chronicdisease.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/School_Health/WSCC_Model_Webinar_for_NACDD.pdf. View the webinar recording at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/2533869991420282370.
Physical Environment:
Higher Altitude States Have Fewer Kids with ADHD, Study Finds
The thin air of America's higher-elevation regions may reduce the risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a new study suggests. Researchers reported that the occurrence of ADHD decreases substantially as altitude increases. For example, Utah has an average state elevation of 6,100 feet. That state's ADHD rate is half that of states at sea level, they said. It's important to note though that the current study's design can only show a link between altitude and a lower incidence of ADHD. It can't prove a cause-and-effect relationship. Read more at http://health.usnews.com/health-news/articles/2015/04/17/higher-altitude-states-have-fewer-kids-with-adhd-study-reveals.
Florida Elementary Students Test Standing Desks
Students at Belle Terre Elementary School in Palm Coast, Florida, are testing the LearnFit standing desk, which is equipped with wheels and can be moved throughout the classroom. One study found students who stood during class burned more calories than those who sat. The desk manufacturer, Ergotron, is gathering feedback on the desks from students, teachers and principals. Read more at http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2015/04/17/learnfit-standing-desk-inspires-healthy-habits-for-students/.
Social and Emotional Climate:
Using Mentoring to Support Students' Social, Emotional Needs
Cross-grade, student-based mentor programs can help support students' social, emotional and physical needs, suggests Dan Ajerman, a science teacher at Leman Manhattan Preparatory School in New York City. In this blog post, he explains how mentoring supports the "whole child." Read the blog at http://smartblogs.com/education/2015/04/16/how-intraschool-mentorships-help-develop-the-whole-student/?utm_source=brief.
Study: Half of Kids Admit to Hurtful Social Networking
Armed with cellphones and a dizzying array of social media choices, one-half of middle- and high school students in a recent study admit to social media abuse — from bullying schoolmates to spreading rumors to pressuring others to send sexual texts or pictures. They also admitted to stalking their partners. "It begins with the constant texting or the stalking on Facebook, 'Where are you?' and 'Who are you with?' " said researcher Poco Kernsmith, an associate professor of social work at Wayne State University. Read more at http://www.freep.com/story/news/health/2015/04/12/kids-social-media-abuse/25685317/.
Five Tips for Mitigating Bullying in Schools
Bullying is a very real issue in schools, and it is only being exacerbated by the rise of anonymous online platforms such as Yik Yak, an app that allows users to post digital comments viewable by anyone within a set distance. While everyone knows bullying is bad, it often persists in schools because nobody quite knows how to handle it. Students can be told to stop, but what if that doesn't do anything? Pushing perpetrators of bullying out of school may help the victim, but it doesn't actually solve the problem. Read more at http://www.educationdive.com/news/5-tips-for-mitigating-bullying-in-schools/387239/.
Three Ways Technology Can Support Positive Behavior in Schools (PBIS)
According to the federal Education Department, more than 19,000 U.S. schools are using School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, an evidence-based framework to reduce disciplinary infractions, improve the school climate and increase student achievement. Similar to Response to Intervention, PBIS takes a three-tiered approach to instilling positive behavior in schools. Tier 1 focuses on interventions used on a school wide basis for all students, such as actively teaching and reinforcing appropriate behaviors. Read more at http://www.eschoolnews.com/2015/04/10/technology-behavior-054/.
Health Services:
Managing Food Allergies in Schools
The Tool Kit for Managing Food Allergies in Schools was developed by CDC to help schools in implementing the Voluntary Guidelines for Managing Food Allergies in School and Early Care and Education Programs. Access the Toolkit at http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/foodallergies/toolkit.htm. Access the Guidelines at http://www.foodallergy.org/document.doc?id=249.
Employee Wellness:
AHA Issues Recommendations on Employee Worksite Wellness Programs
Comprehensive workplace wellness programs have the potential to significantly improve the overall health of the American workforce, according to an advisory released this week by the American Heart Association (AHA). Although the majority of employers - 77 percent according to a 2013Kaiser Family Foundation/Health Research and Educational Trust Employer Health Benefits Survey - say they offer wellness programs, many aren't comprehensive and don't effectively track or evaluate employee cardiovascular health. Read the advisory at http://blog.heart.org/aha-issues-recommendations-to-improve-effectiveness-of-workplace-wellness-programs/.
Nutrition Environment and Services:
Survey: Breakfast in Classrooms Are Available in More Districts
More students are eating breakfast in the classroom, according to a recent survey by the Food Research and Action Center. Data show 50 out of 62 districts participating in a nationwide poll served meals in the classroom or offered a grab-and-go option that students eat in class. Read about it at http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/things-schools-offer-breakfast-classroom-30413463.
Schools Becoming the 'Last Frontier' for Hungry Kids
America's schools are no longer just a place for students to learn their ABCs. They are also increasingly where children eat their three squares. The classroom has become a dining room as more children attending public schools live in poverty. More than half of students in public schools — 51 percent — were in low-income families in 2013, according to a study by the Southern Education Foundation. The number of low-income children in public schools has been persistent and steadily rising over the past several decades. In 1989, 32 percent of children in public schools lived in poverty, the foundation says. Read more at http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/04/05/public-school-dinners-pantries/70389176/.
USDA OKs Greek Yogurt for School Lunch Programs, Senator Says
The USDA has decided schools nationwide will be able to buy Greek yogurt for their lunch programs in the fall, said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, D-N.Y. Schools in 12 states were part of a pilot program that used Greek yogurt, which has more protein than regular yogurt, to help meet student nutrition goals. Read about it at http://www.lohud.com/story/news/education/2015/04/21/greek-yogurt-school-lunch-programs/26118267/.
Counseling, Psychological and Social Services:
UCLA Mental Health in Schools April 20th Newsletter is Now Online
Access the newsletter at http://smhp.psych.ucla.edu/pdfdocs/mhpractitioner/practitioner.pdf.
Kids And Anxiety: Many Theories Exist as to Why Some Kids Are Anxious and Others Aren't
Frustrated parents want to know, "Why?" One in four children suffers from an anxiety disorder during childhood and adolescence, according to experts, but why is this particular child in that 25 percent? Why him instead of his classmate? Why her and not her twin sister? What happened? Why won't it just go away? There are a lot of theories and continuing research as to why some children develop anxiety disorders while others — even those raised in the same environment by the same parents — do not. Read more at http://www.northjersey.com/community-news/family/kids-and-anxiety-the-big-question-is-often-irrelevant-1.1310535.
Study Links Adult ADHD with Childhood Physical, Sexual Abuse
A study in the journal Child Abuse & Neglect found that 34 percent and 44 percent of female patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were sexually and physically abused before they were 18 years old, respectively, compared with 14 percent and 21 percent of those without ADHD. More male ADHD patients also reported sexual or physical abuse during childhood than those without the condition, the research showed. Read about it at http://www.scienceworldreport.com/articles/24555/20150417/could-there-be-a-link-between-adhd-and-child-sexual-abuse.htm.
Study Tracks Onset of Eating Disorders in Girls with Type 1 Diabetes
Researchers looked at the prevalence and onset of disturbed eating behavior and eating disorders among 126 girls with type 1 diabetes. The girls were interviewed seven times over the course of 14 years and, by the seventh interview, 32.4 percent of the women had a current eating disorder. The mean age of onset was 22.6 years, according to the study in Diabetes Care. Read more at http://www.physiciansbriefing.com/Article.asp?AID=698620.
Health Education:
Children More Likely to Report Sexual Abuse if Educated about It
Children who were educated about sexual abuse prevention were more likely to report an incident to an adult than those who did not receive any such education, according to a review published in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. The review also revealed that participating in sexual abuse education programs would lead children to try and protect themselves in a simulated setting. Read about it at http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/292465.php.
Hide the Birth Control
Teens care what their parents think. When it comes to using contraception, unfortunately, fear that parents will find out they are having sex may keep teens from protecting themselves from pregnancy. But parents may be more understanding than these teens believe. A recent survey from The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy found that 7 in 10 adults (68 percent) would want their teen to talk to them about birth control. See results of the survey at http://thenationalcampaign.org/resource/survey-says-april-2015.
Comprehensive Policies, Reports, Research and Resources:
Study: Sleep Disturbances Can Hamper Memory Processes in Children
Sleep disordered breathing can hamper memory processes in children, according to a new study. The research, which will be presented this week at the Sleep and Breathing Conference, found that disrupted sleep had an impact on different memory processes and how children learn. Eszter Csabi led a team of researchers from the University of Szeged and Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary. They analyzed 17 children with sleep disordered breathing aged between 6 and 12 years. They looked at different memory processes compared to a control group of 17 children of similar age without any sleep disorders. Read more at http://www.news-medical.net/news/20150415/Study-Sleep-disturbances-can-hamper-memory-processes-in-children.aspx.