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Schools
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Obesity
Steppin' to a Healthier St. Paul Walking Relay to be held May 18 & 19
The Steppin’ to a Healthier St. Paul walking relay will be held on May 18 and 19. Last year six schools from the Highland Park and Mac-Groveland neighborhoods participated in the relay to promote wellness through physical activity. This year the relay is being expanded over two days to include schools from other areas of St. Paul.
Students and staff will walk from school-to-school handing off a baton and banner at each school on the route. The next group will then continue on the route to the next school with the baton and banner. Participants will wear neon green t-shirts with the event logo. WCCO TV is planning on covering the event.
The May 18th relay will include the following elementary schools-- Frost Lake, Prosperity Heights, Jackson and Webster. The May 19th relay will include Expo, Randolph Heights, Groveland, Horace Mann, Highland Catholic and Highland.
Saint Paul Public Schools has been recognized nationally as a leader in promoting a healthy learning environment for students and staff. The walking relay is intended to celebrate the work schools have done this year to create healthier school environments.
Three SPPS schools reach bronze award level with Alliance to a Healthier Generation Healthy Schools Program; Randolph Heights to be recognized at forum in August 2009
The fourth annual Healthy Schools Forum will be held in Little Rock, Arkansas in August 2009. Randolph Heights Elementary is the first school in the Twin Cities Metro Area to receive the Bronze Award from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. Randolph Heights is part of the Healthy Schools Program with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. Saint Paul Public Schools has partnered with the organization to move their wellness policy forward and make their school environments healthier ones.
Schools participating in the Healthy Schools Program are eligible to earn bronze, silver, gold or platinum awards based on their range of the following criteria: systems and policy, school meals, competitive foods and beverages, health education, physical education, physical activity before and after-school programs, and staff wellness. The award criteria were developed in consultation with a panel of experts, including representatives from the American Heart Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and more.
Twenty-nine schools from the Saint Paul District join Alliance for a Healthier Generation's Healthy Schools Program
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation recruited 29 schools from Saint Paul Public Schools to participate in the on-site delivery of the Healthy Schools Program during the 2008-09 school year. Thirty-five additional schools enrolled for on-line assistance. During the year, all 64 schools were invited to attend a series of 3 technical assitance sessions offered by the Healthy Schools Program Relationship Manager in Minnesota. Fifty-six schools completed the Healthy Schools Builder inventory at least once. Click here to read more.
Wellness Policy moves forward; district hosts parent and champions trainings
The Wellness Policy is a recent law that requires all school districts that participate in the National School Lunch Program to adopt local school wellness policies addressing healthy eating and physical activity. Click here to read more.
Saint Paul Public Schools Wellness Policy Implementation Manual
The purpose of this policy is to encourage and support healthy learners who thrive in our school communities and to assure a school environment that promotes and protects students’ safety, well being and ability to learn.
Click here to view the policy.
Wellness Policy Champion's Manual
The purpose of the Wellness Policy Champion’s Manual is to provide schools with practical ideas, resources, work plan and support for the implementation of the SPPS District Wellness Policy. View the Champion's Manual.
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Diabetes
Managing and Preventing Diabetes and Weight Gain (MAP) Project
To read more click here.
Are you at risk for Type 2 Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes?
Click here for this informative article from Saint Paul Public Schools LIVE! newsletter (November/December 2006).
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Asthma
SPPS Nurse Jeanne Sedgwick named Minnesota School Nurse of the Year for 2008
Jeanne Sedgwick, RN, BAN, LSN, MS, NCSN of St. Paul was honored as Minnesota’s School Nurse of the Year at the Annual School Nurse Organization of Minnesota Annual Fall Conference on October 16. Click here to read more.
Asthma Management
Steps to a Healthier St. Paul is working in collaboration with schools and medical providers to establish policies for every child with asthma to have an Asthma Action Plan at school. Asthma Action Plans help to identify a student's individual asthma triggers and treatments. Following an Asthma Action Plan is an important step to managing asthma as a chronic condition and preventing asthma episodes that require emergency care.
In partnership with the Minnesota Metro Asthma Coalition, Steps to a Healthier St. Paul assists with public service announcements for youth, emphasizing the importance of exercise despite having asthma.
Winning with Asthma
The Minnesota Department of Health has designed an innovative training tool to help coaches understand asthma so they can help their players properly manage their asthma while succeeding in sports. The Coach’s Asthma Clipboard Program, "Winning with Asthma," consists of a free 30-minute, online educational program created for coaches, referees and physical education teachers.
Air Quality Index
Sign up for air quality index notifications.
MDH Asthma Fact Sheets
The Minnesota Department of Health provides downloadable state and national fact sheets on asthma.
PBS’s Arthur’s Asthma Tips
Buster Baxter has asthma, but that doesn’t stop him from playing with his friends. Buster gives tips to other kids and their parents on how to breathe easier at home.
Minnesota Asthma Coalition
The MN Metro Asthma Coalition (MAC) works to provide asthma information, increase asthma awareness, and support public policies that improve outcomes for Minnesotans with asthma. Their web site includes links to resources, a calendar of events, and information on symptoms of asthma. For more information on asthma, visit the Metro Asthma Coalition.
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Physical Activity
Jackson Preparatory Magnet recognized by Alliance to a Healthier Generation as a school on the move at recess
Staff and faculty members at Jackson Preparatory Magnet recognize that in order to get their students up and moving, they need to be moving with them. To read more click here.
SPPS teacher Martha James named Minnesota Elementary Physical Educator of the Year
Congratulations are in order for Martha James, K-12 Physical Education Coach and teacher for SPPS since 1994. Click here to read more.
SPPS PE Teachers add biking to their curriculum through grant funds
Wally Grant, PE teacher, at Prosperity Elementary, and Dewayne Combs, PE teacher at Battle Creek Middle School, are two teachers passionate about teaching kids how to love exercise while riding a bicycle. Both teachers have added biking to their curriculum in the last several years through grant funds. To read about Dewayne's bike program click here. To read more about Wally's bike program click here.
Webster Elementary School's Jump Rope for Heart event a big success
Congratulations to all 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th graders at Webster for a successful Jump Rope for Heart event on February 24! We saw students jumping, getting their hearts pumping and doing the limbo all in an effort to raise awareness of heart disease. We raised more than $1,100 for the American Heart Association as our physical education service learning project!
Students created and decorated classroom chains and posters to help decorate the gym. We had an assembly, days before the event, to talk about the event and had students demonstrate jump roping skills to the school.
Paul and Sheila Wellstone Elementary offers swimming program as part of PE curriculum
At Paul & Sheila Wellstone Elementary School all students have the opportunity to learn how to swim and to safely enjoy the water. Students from Grade 1 and up have swim class in their normal "specialist" rotation schedules. Students are kept active in all classes. Classes for grades 1-3 have a learn to swim emphasis. Classes in grades 4-6 have a fitness emphasis. Steps funded some new swim fins for the program this year through their mini-grants.
Horace Mann Elementary School "Hip-Hops" to promote fitness
Students participated in one of three assemblies held at Horace Mann in April 2008. Ben Bakken, dance instructor, taught Hip-Hop dance to the sudents to introduce a new way to be active and exercise. He taught them a Hip-Hop routine which they are performed together to music at the end of class. Hip-Hop will be included in the PE curriculum at Horace Mann.
Expo School Fun Run
The Expo Softball Game/Fun Run/Global Food Festival is an Expo tradition. Students and families participate in the Fun Run to complete the half mile course. It involves the community and encourages physical activity. This event was held in May.
Jackson Preparatory Magnet uses Yoga Pretzels as classroom energizers
Team building, strength, balance, stretching and relaxation are elements of the Yoga Education Pretzels. Classroom teachers incorporate the energizers throughout the school day.
Nationally recognized JAM School Program makes a stop in St. Paul
Health-E-tips, Inc. is traveling across the country this month and visiting schools that are using their nationally recognized Just A Minute (JAM) school program. Prosperity Heights, EXPO for Excellence and Battle Creek Middle School hosted the school tour. Read more.
Got a Minute?
Check out the latest news from the JAM School Program and the Jammin' Minute. The Jammin' Minute is a great way for teachers to add classroom energizers to their class each day. For past issues of the Jammin' Minute and JAM monthly news go to http://healthetips.com/archive.php
Top Ten Reasons Why Movement Matters
Click here for the Top Ten Reasons Why Movement Matters when it comes to academic success.
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Nutrition
Backpack Nutrition Program for Families
In partnership with Whole Foods, a natural foods company, the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy and a Saint Paul Elementary School, 30 families will receive food for six weeks to support families . A variety of foods, given to the children in their backpack, will go home with the selected families each Friday. This is a pilot program.
Three Saint Paul Elementary Schools FUELED UP AND READY TO GO; Student Wellness Campaign Rolls into Area
With childhood obesity reaching epidemic proportions, it's never been more important for schools to take an active role in promoting healthy habits. Steps partnered with the Midwest Dairy Council to coordinate distribution of activation wellness kits and Viking wellness photographs and posters to SPPS wellness champions. In addition, three schools were awarded with Touchdown to Wellness. Dairy Fully Fueled Tour promotes student wellness in a one-of-a-kind health and fitness experience. Read more.
Adams Spanish Immersion School Plants Salsa Garden
Students and parent volunteers create the garden from start to finish by active participation. They plan, plant, care for and harvest the vegetables typically used in salsa; tomatoes, onions, herbs, peppers and tomatillos. Students prepare the salsa for the fall opening picnic. There is also a nutrition curriculum component to go along with the garden project. The curriculum is implemented with after-school and
community education programs.
Eight schools benefit from Managing and Preventing Diabetes Program (MAP)
Managing and Preventing Diabetes program is at eight elementary schools. Steps purchased a dozen children’s books about physical activity and nutrition for display in the libraries at these schools to raise awareness about diabetes and the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
Murray and Cleveland Junior High Boost Brain Power with Breakfast
Open gym, staff wellness and educating students about the importance of breakfast are a few of the wellness challenges ahead at these schools. The goal is to increase breakfast participation by educating students and staff. This was accomplished though promotions, role modeling and encouragment.
Webster School hosts International Wellness Fair
Efforts throughout the year to increase physical activity and promote nutrition came to an amazing peak at the year-end international fair. Healthy foods and active games were highlighted from around the world for students and families to experience
SPPS Nutrition Services receives award for Excellence
Saint Paul Public Schools Nutrition Services receives District of Excellence Distinction in School Nutrition by the School Nutrition Association (SNA.) SPPS is one of four districts nation-wide in 2009 to receive the distinction. The distinction recognizes school districts that excel in four "key" areas: nutrition, and nutrition education, communications and marketing, administration and operations.
Nutrition Services’ long-standing policy of serving nutritious meals goes well with District Wellness Policy
Saint Paul Schools Nutrition Services is continually working to develop new and revised menu items that fit the criteria set out by the District's Wellness Policy. Read more from Saint Paul Schools LIVE! newsletter (November/December 2006).
Healthy Eating Resources
The following are nutrition resources for schools, worksites, organizations and families.
18 Ways to Get Your Kids Off Junk Food
A Nutritious Lunchbox
Beating the Breakfast Time Crunch
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Tobacco Use and Exposure
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