8 Components of Coordinated School Health

 Health education is a planned, sequential, pre K-12 curriculum and program that addresses the physical, mental and emotional, and social dimensions of health. The activities of the curriculum and program are integrated into the daily life of the students and designed to motivate and assist students to maintain and improve their health, prevent disease and reduce health-related risk behaviors. It allows students to develop and demonstrate increasingly sophisticated health-related knowledge, attitudes, skills, and practices. The curriculum and program include a variety of topics such as personal health, family health, community health, consumer health, environmental health, family living, mental and emotional health, injury prevention and safety, CPR, nutrition, prevention and control of disease and substance use and abuse. Qualified professionals such as health educators, teachers, school counselors, school health nurses, registered dietitians, and community health care professionals provide health education.

More Information:

• Yucky.com - The name says it all! Information about body odor, body functions, etc.as well as: worm world, Whack-a-Roach and Yucky labs. Excellent for teaching about the body and integrate it with aging and puberty. From Discovery Kids.
• NIDA for Teens: The Science Behind Drug Abuse - This web site was created with the help of teens to educate adolescents ages 11 through 15 (as well as their parents and teachers) on the science behind drug abuse. Elements such as animated illustrations, quizzes, and games make learning fun through interaction.
• Kids Health- Includes great basic health information with individualized sections for kids, teens and parents. Also includes activities to help teach the mental component (dealing with emotions), healthy recipes, and information about the body.
• Learn to be Healthy- Interactive health science activities for grades 1 - 5. Includes lesson plans aligned to national health standards for children and teens.
• Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids- Website maintained by this 501(c)3 company with lots of tobacco related facts and figures as well as state specific information.
• Too Smart to Start- An underage alcohol use prevention initiative for parents, caregivers, and their 9-to-13 year-old children.
• Get Fit TN! -GetFitTN is a statewide awareness program developed by Governor Phil Bredesen to address the rising epidemic of Type 2 diabetes and its risk factors like obesity.

More Information:

• BAM! Body and Mind –  A fun, fully interactive site from the CDC covering diseases, food, physical activity, safety and wellness.
• Kidnetic -- Kidnetic.com tells you cool stuff about how your body works, how eating right helps you play better and feel good and how staying active is lots of fun! It also contains resources for parents and educators.

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• Games Kids Play - This site lists fun indoor and outdoor games as well as an international area with games played by kids in other countries.
• PE Central - This site contains creative physical education and activity lesson plans sorted by grade level. Some examples are: Skunk Tag, Macarena Push-ups, Harry Potter Field Day and Quidditch, Hot Potato Tag and more.
• We Can! - We Can! stands for Ways to Enhance Children's Activity & Nutrition. Thisis a national education program designed for parents and caregivers to help children 8-13 years old stay at a healthy weight.

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• Music City Moves! - Music City Moves! is a community partnership committed to building an active, healthy community for everyone.
• Pace Trek - P.A.C.E. is an acronym for Promoting Active Children Everywhere. This site features the P.A.C.E. Trek 2008, a free fitness and education challenge for teams of children across the globe. These teams will "virtually" race former 5^th grade teacher and endurance runner, Paul Staso, 620 miles across Montana.
• Special Olympics Tennessee – Special Olympics Tennessee provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
• WalkingWorks for Schools - BlueCross WalkingWorks for Schools asks participants to walk at least five minutes each school day for a period of 12 weeks each semester. Many of our Tennessee schools have participated and are recognized on the site. Way to go Tennessee! 

Nutrition services assure access to a variety of nutritious, affordable and appealing meals in school that accommodate the health and nutrition needs of all students. School nutrition programs reflect the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans and other criteria to meet the complete nutrition needs of students.

More Information:

• 20 Worst Foods - Nutrition facts and figures that may make you think twice before you order.
• MyPyramid Blast Off Game- An interactive computer game where kids can reach Planet Power by fueling their rocket with food and physical activity.
• AITC Kid's Zone – Click on ‘Exit Intro’ to see Science projects, State Ag facts, Farm & Fun Food and more. This kid friendly site is brought to you by Agriculture in the Classroom.
• AITC Teen Scene – Agriculture in the Classroom’s site for teens has information on careers, science, issues, recipes and more.
• Portion Distortion Quiz #1 – A quiz to see if you know how today's portions compare to the portions available 20 years ago and the amount of physical activity required to burn off the extra calories. (2003)
• Portion Distortion Quiz #2 – A quiz to see if you know how today's portions compare to the portions available 20 years ago and the amount of physical activity required to burn off the extra calories. (2004)
• Small Step Kids – Find out cool stuff about food and what it can do for you! From the US Dept. of Health & Human Services.
• Small Step Adults&Teens– Small Steps make a big difference.  This program from the US Dept. of Health & Human Services suggests some little things to make big changes in your life.

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• CDC's Fruits and Veggies Matter– This site from the CDC provides personal calculators, recipes, tips and ideas to increase the number of fruits and vegetables in your diet.
• Fruits & Veggies - More Matters – This health initiative suggests simple ways to add more fruits and vegetables to every eating occasion.
• GetFitTN- Everyone can take simple steps toward better health. Start where you are!
• MyPyramid.gov- Project M.O.M.—Mothers & Others & MyPyramid—is a multi-pronged initiative aimed at transforming the way the American family eats.
• Nutrition- Nutrition information brought to you by the TN Department of Health.

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• Heart Healthy Recipes– This site has heart healthy recipes for appetizers, side dishes, beverages, soups and main dishes, with meat and vegetarian.
• Healthy Recipes– Planet Health’s recipe index includes: Time-savers, Easy entrees, low fat & low calorie, vegetarian, and desserts for every diet.
• Diabetic Recipes – A unique collection of over 800 diabetic and heart-healthy recipes. There are also more than 200 menus for every occasion from casual family meals to super parties or holiday celebrations.

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• The Farmer Grows a Rainbow - This site provides teachers with classroom-ready resources to improve nutrition education among K-5 students.
• AITC Teacher Resources – This Agriculture In the Classroom site has lots of varied links and resources for student projects, lesson plans and quizzes.
• MyPyramid for Kids Classroom Materials- Educational materials developed at the elementary school level to help children learn the MyPyramid food guidance system. Lesson plans for teachers are available for grades 1-6.
• Nutrition Explorations for Educators- Fun, hands-on and interactive activities from Dairy Council's most popular programs help you teach nutrition from pre-k through upper elementary grades.

Physical education is a planned, sequential pre-k -12 curriculum program that follows national standards in providing developmentally appropriate, cognitive content and learning experiences in a variety of physical activity areas such as basic movement skills; physical fitness; rhythm and dance; cooperative games; team, dual, and individual sports; tumbling and gymnastics; and aquatics. Quality physical education promotes, through a variety of planned individual and cooperative physical activities and fitness assessments, each student's optimum physical, mental, emotional and social development; and provides fitness activities and sports that all students, including students with special needs, can enjoy and pursue throughout their lives. Qualified professionals such as physical education teachers and physical activity specialists provide physical education and related fitness activities.

More Information:

• BAM! Body and Mind –  A fun, fully interactive site from the CDC covering diseases, food, physical activity, safety and wellness.
• Kidnetic -- Kidnetic.com tells you cool stuff about how your body works, how eating right helps you play better and feel good and how staying active is lots of fun! It also contains resources for parents and educators.

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• Games Kids Play - This site lists fun indoor and outdoor games as well as an international area with games played by kids in other countries.
• PE Central - This site contains creative physical education and activity lesson plans sorted by grade level. Some examples are: Skunk Tag, Macarena Push-ups, Harry Potter Field Day and Quidditch, Hot Potato Tag and more.
• We Can! - We Can! stands for Ways to Enhance Children's Activity & Nutrition. Thisis a national education program designed for parents and caregivers to help children 8-13 years old stay at a healthy weight.

  ---

• Music City Moves! - Music City Moves! is a community partnership committed to building an active, healthy community for everyone.
• Pace Trek - P.A.C.E. is an acronym for Promoting Active Children Everywhere. This site features the P.A.C.E. Trek 2008, a free fitness and education challenge for teams of children across the globe. These teams will "virtually" race former 5^th grade teacher and endurance runner, Paul Staso, 620 miles across Montana.
• Special Olympics Tennessee – Special Olympics Tennessee provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
• WalkingWorks for Schools - BlueCross WalkingWorks for Schools asks participants to walk at least five minutes each school day for a period of 12 weeks each semester. Many of our Tennessee schools have participated and are recognized on the site. Way to go Tennessee! 

Health services are provided and/or supervised by school health nurses to appraise, protect, and promote the health of students. These services include assessment, planning, coordination of services and direct care for all children, including those with special health care needs. Health services are designed and coordinated with community health care professionals to ensure early intervention, access and referral to primary health care services; foster appropriate use of primary health care services; prevent and control communicable disease and other health problems; provide emergency care for student and staff illness or injury; provide daily and continuous services for children with special health care needs; promote and provide optimum sanitary conditions for a safe school facility and school environment; and provide educational and counseling opportunities for promoting and maintaining individual, family and community health. Qualified professionals such as school health nurses, physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, dentists, health educators, registered dietitians, school counselors, and allied health personnel including speech therapists and occupational or physical therapists provide these services.

Counseling, mental health, and social services are provided to assess and improve the mental, emotional, and social health of every student. All students receive these services, including developmental classroom guidance activities and preventative educational programs, in an effort to enhance and promote academic, personal, and social growth. Students who may have special needs are served through the administration and interpretation of psychometric and psycho educational tests, observational assessments, individual and group counseling sessions, crisis intervention for emergency mental health needs, family/home consultation, and/or referrals to outside community-based agencies when appropriate. The professional skills of counselors, psychologists, and social workers, along with school health nurses, are utilized to provide coordinated "wrap around" services that contribute to the mental, emotional, and social health of students, their families and the school environment. Qualified professionals such as school and community counselors, school and community psychologists, school health nurses, social workers, and qualified staff from community agencies provide these services.

More Information:

• Coping with Cliques - Whether you're on the inside or the outside, cliques can make your life tough. This TeenHealth site suggests ways to cope.
• Coping with Violence and Traumatic Events – Tips from the US Department of Health and Human Services for students, schools, families and adults on dealing with traumatic events. 
• Fact Sheet about Teen Suicide – A concise fact sheet on recognizing and preventing Teen Suicide and a list of resources from the American Psychiatric Association.
• FAQ on Child & Teen Mental Health– An expert from the American Psychiatric Association answers common questions about children’s mental health.
• Kids Against Bullying – A Web site created for elementary school children. It is a resource to educate students about bullying prevention and provide methods to respond to bullying situations from the National Center for Bullying Prevention.
• Kids Health - Your Mind – Being healthy means dealing with the changes in your body and your mind. Relationships, body image, families, emotions and more are discussed in these articles.
• National Runaway Switchboard– NRS keeps America’s runaway and at-risk youth safe and off the streets. This site provides information for children and teens, adults, parents and educators. 
• Self-Injury – A straight forward fact sheet on self-injury provided by the Mayo Clinic.  
• Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network- Each year suicide claims more lives of Tennesseans than homicide. Yet many suicides are preventable with the recognition of the signs of suicide.

Healthy school environment concerns the quality of the physical and aesthetic surroundings; the psychosocial climate, safety, and culture of the school; the school safety and emergency plans; and the periodic review and testing of the factors and conditions that influence the environment. Factors and conditions that influence the quality of the physical environment include the school building and the area surrounding it; transportation services; any biological or chemical agents inside and outside the school facilities that are detrimental to health; and physical conditions such as temperature, noise, lighting, air quality and potential health and safety hazards. The quality of the psychological environment includes the physical, emotional and social conditions that affect the safety and well being of students and staff. Qualified staff such as facilities and transportation supervisors, principals, school and community counselors, social workers, psychologists, school health nurses, health educators, and school safety officers assess and plan for these factors and conditions in the school environment.

More Information:

• Kids against Bullying – A Web site created for elementary school children. It educates students about bullying prevention and provide methods to respond to bullying situations from the National Center for Bullying Prevention. 
• Kids Count – Community Level Information on Kids (CLIKS). Trend data for Tennessee covering the past 10 years and available in several formats.
• National Fire Protection Association – The NFPA is the authority on fire, building and electrical safety.
• National Inhalant Prevention Coalition – NIPC is a public-private effort to promote awareness and recognition of the under publicized problem of inhalant use.
• National Youth Gang Center (NYGC) – Information, resources and publications on recognizing and countering gang activity from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP).
• Safe & Drug Free Schools – A comprehensive list brought to you by the US Department of Education. Related links to School safety – NCLB and areas for teachers are provided.
• School Bus Safety Program – This NHTSA program is committed to reducing school bus-related crashes, injuries, and fatalities.
• TN School Safety Center – Current programs, resources, and up coming training opportunities offered by the Tennessee School Safety Center.
• Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network - Each year suicide claims more lives of Tennesseans than homicide. Yet many suicides are preventable with the recognition of the signs of suicide.
• TP3 Green Schools Program - The Green Schools Program is the schools’ branch of the Tennessee Pollution Prevention Partnership (TP3). 

More Information:

• Alignment Nashville – This organization works to align community organizations to positively impact the Nashville community by helping our youth and public schools succeed.
• Big Brothers, Big Sisters of TN – Big Brothers Big Sisters in Schools Volunteers provide Littles with one-on-one time and attention in their schools, typically once a week during the academic year.
• Grandparents Parenting – Information, resources and discussions provided by A.A.R.P. for Grandparents who are raising children.
• Hands On Nashville – Hands On Nashville offers a variety of programs and resources that empower people to make volunteering a regular part of their lives.
• MNPS for Parents & Community – There are lots of ways for parents to be involved in their child's education - keeping track in the classroom, at home and throughout the school district.
• N.A.P.E – The Nashville Alliance for Public Education (NAPE) identifies areas of need and impact -- and channels private community resources toward programs to accelerate progress in our schools.
• N.C.P.I.E. – The National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education.
• Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce – The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce is an advocate for continuous improvement in Metro Nashville Public Schools.
• Parents Portal – Information and resources from the U.S. Department of Education.
• PENCIL Foundation - PENCIL Foundation promotes community involvement in student learning, and secures a strong commitment from business leaders to help provide materials and resources essential to quality education.
• YMCA Fun Company- Fun Company is a before- and after-school program sponsored by the YMCA that provides supervision, snacks, activities and fun for all students 

Wellness opportunities such as health assessments, health education and physical fitness activities are provided to all school staff, including the administrators, teachers and support personnel, to improve their health status. These opportunities encourage staff to pursue a healthy lifestyle that contributes to their improved health status, improved morale, and greater personal commitment to the overall coordinated school health program. This personal commitment often transfers into greater commitment to the health of students and serving as positive role models. Health promotion activities conducted on-site improve productivity, decrease absenteeism, and reduce health insurance costs. Qualified professionals such as principals, supervisors, health educators, school health nurses and school personnel/human resources directors provide leadership in this area.

More Information: