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Feature Articles for March 2003
 Coordinated School Health Programs A coordinated school health program isn’t a new program at all, rather a school community initiative that builds on the many positive programs already existing in your school district. It is a way to instill lifetime habits in our young people that will benefit them throughout their lives and increase their level of success. It is also a way to make your entire school community a healthier place to live and work. “Building Bridges” refers to the collaboration between various school and community representatives and programs that make the initiative successful. Why is such a coordinated approached needed? As we know, healthy adults begin with healthy children and there is a direct correlation between academic achievement and health. A healthy child is a teachable child. A Coordinated School Health Program (CSHP) allows parents, community members, business professionals and schools to have a direct impact on the success rate of our youth, while addressing six preventable behaviors that lead to premature death and disability. Proven benefits for students of a CSHP are: • Improvement in attendance; • Higher graduation rates; • Better grades; • Increased performance on standardized tests; • Lower dropout rates; • Fewer behavioral problems in school; • More participation in school activities; and • Higher aspirations for post secondary education. In addition, through implementation of a Coordinated School Health Program parents, community members and professionals can address and impact the following high-risk behaviors in our youth: • Tobacco use; • Poor eating habits; • Abuse of alcohol and other drugs; • Behaviors that result in intentional or unintentional injury; • Physical inactivity; • And sexual behaviors that result in sexually transmitted diseases, HIV infection and unintended pregnancy. The Coordinated School Health Program has eight components that include: • Comprehensive school health education • Physical education • School health services • Counseling, psychological and social services • School nutrition services • A healthy school environment • Staff wellness programs • Family and community involvement. Your school district may already be working on implementing a CSHP and as part of that plan developing a school wellness council. Through collaboration with community partners, such as the American Cancer Society, a school community health council could really make strides toward reaching a nationwide goal of a healthy generation of young people. If you are interested in more information about CSHP please call the American Cancer Society at 610-921-2328. Flowers Fight Cancer This year the American Cancer Society celebrates 30 years of Daffodil Days. The popular spring flower sale, which runs through the week of March 18, raises money for cancer research, education and service. Sales are currently being held at area schools, businesses and community associations. For more information, call the American Cancer Society at 610-921-2328. |
