Health & Safety News From GCC of PTAs

As they always say, you are what you eat--at least to some degree. Of course we know that other factors including physical activity, sleep, emotional/stress factors, and other environmental factors affect how our bodies utilize the nutrients we consume.

That is why it is so important that we consider the whole child when we seek ways to improve both health and academic performance in the children under our guidance. These many aspects of children's lives are inextricably linked--probably in more ways than we can even imagine. But if each of us does our part to improve even just one little aspect of a child's life, we can make a difference.

It takes all of us working together to achieve measurable change. I hope that you find tools and inspiration in this newsletter to aid you in making some change, however small, in children's lives.

In Health,

Nancy Kondracki, MS, RD, LDN

GCC of PTA's Health and Safety Chair

*Article submissions are welcome from any non-profit organization. The deadline is the 5th of each month.

New Data Available on Youth Physical Activity in N.C. Counties

The NC Division of Public Health's Physical Activity and Nutrition (PAN) Branch is pleased to share data from its recently completed Eat Smart, Move More Community Grants evaluation project.

These data were collected from almost 2,000 North Carolina youth (ages 9-14) who completed detailed surveys and/or wore movement-sensing devices called accelerometers. The data were compiled and analyzed by the PAN Branch in partnership with Dr. Justin Moore (University of South Carolina), who together received funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to evaluate the community grants program.

Physical activity data were collected from youth in the 20 counties that have received an Eat Smart, Move More Community Grant between 2010 and 2012. These counties included Alleghany, Ashe, Beaufort, Buncombe, Burke, Chatham, Clay, Cleveland, Currituck, Gaston, Guilford, Henderson, Montgomery, New Hanover, Orange, Pitt, Sampson, Stokes, Surry, and Yadkin.

Conclusions from a summary of baseline data, which was collected between September and December 2010, are listed below. Reports for data collected in 2011 and 2012 will be released at a later date. As physical inactivity is a contributor to the childhood obesity epidemic, it is our hope that these data can inform efforts to increase physical activity in North Carolina's youth.

*The youth who participated in this study engage in approximately HALF of the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per day.

*The youth who participated in this study think they are more active than they actually are. Participants reported they are moderately to vigorously active for at least 60 minutes about four and a half days per week, but the data show that they are only moderately to vigorously active for about 30 minutes per day.

*The data show that the youth who participated in this study are completely sedentary for more than half of an 8-hour day (average of 4.77 hours).

The average school day is about 6.75 hours long, and it can be assumed that a large portion of this time is spent sitting in class. Participants also reported that on a typical school day, they spend about two hours using a computer or video games (not for school) and/or over two and a half hours watching TV.

Please contact Sara Morris of the PAN Branch with any questions or to request additional information.

Source: Eatsmartmovemorenc.com e-newsletter March 7, 2012

Physical Activity Resources:

How can you make it easier for your community to access local school facilities like gyms, fields, basketball courts, and playgrounds? Access, Playing it Smart: a National Joint Use Toolkit, and related materials.

Exercise May Boost Kids' Academic Ability. Learn more.

Source: HealthDay, March 12, 2012

How has Physical Education been impacted by national budget cuts?
Find out from SPARK.

Source: The National Policy and Legal Analysis Network (NPLAN)

Aisle by Aisle: Choosing Food Wisely

A healthy diet starts in the grocery store, but knowing what to choose when you get there can be challenging.

The N.C. Division of Public Health in collaboration with N.C. Cooperative Extension has created Aisle by Aisle: Choosing Foods Wisely - a series of 12 free online videos to help North Carolinians navigate their grocery store aisles.

The video series helps grocery shoppers with simple tips on making better choices when buying food for themselves and their families.

Each video is approximately two minutes long and covers tips on how to shop, read nutrition labels and understand ingredient lists. Video hosts provide a range of choices to help consumers feel confident when buying and eating healthier food items.

Each video is accompanied by a tip sheet that provides specific tips for each aisle in the grocery store, from frozen foods to bread and snacks. The tip sheets are free to download and are sized to fit into a purse, pocket or coupon book for ready reference.

Source: Eat Smart, Move More, NC

Special Tdap Vaccination Clinic for Rising Sixth Graders!

When: Saturday, April 21, 2012 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Where: Guilford County Department of Public Health

1203 E. Maple Street, Greensboro and 501 E. Green Drive, High Point

Call for an appointment beginning April 2.

Greensboro and High Point (English and Spanish) (336) 641-3245

There is no out-of-pocket cost for this vaccine, however, we ask that you have your insurance card handy when you call. Bring your child's shot record.

(As of January 1, 2008, the North Carolina Immunization Law requires that all individuals attending public school who are entering the sixth grade be given a booster dose of Tdap (tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis), if five or more years have passed since their last dose.)

Tobacco Reality Unfiltered (TRU) Youth Program Partners with Leading to Change

Save the Dates:

Wednesday, May 2nd and Wednesday, May 23rd 11:30 am to 3:30 pm.

The Guilford County Tobacco Reality Unfiltered (TRU) Youth Program is partnering with Eric Rowles from Leading To Change, a national expert in youth program development to create a sustainability plan for youth tobacco prevention work in Guilford County.

Location and additional information will be sent out soon.

For more information contact Michelle Gill-Moffat, Guilford County Tobacco Use Prevention Coalition, Youth Coordinator (336) 641-3571.

Garden-based service learning at General Greene Elementary

Students, teachers, and pre-service teachers at General Greene Elementary School are participating in a service-learning project called Take A Bite Out of Science.

This project focuses on growing vegetables in partnership with Guilford County Cooperative Extension School Garden Network coordinator Cynthia Nielsen and Kelly Misiak, Director of The Giving Seed Sustainability Project.

Take A Bite Out of Science was initiated and facilitated by UNCG pre-service teachers Allyson Cates and Erin Hottle as part of their Environmental Education Leadership project. The project involves pairing students in third grade and kindergarten to plant different vegetables in the General Greene Greenhouse.

Throughout the next month the students will monitor the progress of their seedlings and create video blogs, PowerPoint presentations to be shared with the students in High Point. Informational texts explaining plant growth and the importance of healthy eating will also be produced.

In April, Leah Klaproth of The FoodCorps will come to General Greene Elementary and take the seedlings students have grown and share with students in High Point area schools. Garden-based learning will continue as the students in participating schools continue to grow the seedlings into mature plants. These vegetables will be shared with families in High Point.

The students are so excited about the project, and they are especially enthusiastic about working together to monitor the growth of their seedlings and then sharing them in the coming months.

Read all about the new High Point school gardens in this article in The News & Record.

A School Garden Tour will be offered by the FoodCorps on Thursday, April 19th from 9:00 am until noon, departing from Fairview Elementary. To RSVP contact Pam Marshall (336) 375-5876.

Dig Up Fun and Health with School and Community Gardens

School and community gardens have gained attention in the last few years, citing benefits for kids such as:

*fun, active learning and student engagement

*a connection with nature

*an opportunity to learn about more healthful food choices

*physical activity

*cooperation and community development

There are many more benefits and some evolve as the garden program is implemented. Why wait? Use the suggestions below to get started on a school or youth community garden today!

Kids Gardening School Gardening - provides teacher links, "how to" guides, lesson and activity ideas and grant opportunities.

1. Work with school administrators to designate a specific land area or classroom space for gardening. If space is limited, consider a "container garden" to start.

2. Form a garden team of teachers, parents, and administrators to help plan and work with the garden program.

3. Encourage involvement with your school garden by asking kids to submit the names of vegetables they would like to see grown in the school garden.

4. Seek out garden grant opportunities for funding, like those listed in this newsletter.

5. Tell us about your garden! Reply back and share your gardening stories and we'll share them in a future newsletter!

School Grants for Healthy Kids

Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) will award over 500 schools with grants, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, for the 2012 -2013 school year through our School Grants for Healthy Kids program.

The grants, designed to help improve school nutrition and provide kids with greater access to healthy foods, are made possible through AFHK's partnerships with Kellogg's and the Walmart Foundation.

Webinars on the application process will be offered later this month. For a schedule and more details visit Healthy Kids.

*Award amounts will be based on building enrollment, project type, potential impact, and a school's ability to mobilize parents and students around school wellness initiatives.

*Schools must participate in the National School Lunch Program and National School Breakfast Program; and must have a free/reduced priced meal eligibility greater than 50% to be eligible. Priority selection will be given to schools with student enrollment greater than 500 students.

*Applications are due by May 5, 2012.

Health & Safety Resources

Want parents involved in school health activities? Get tips from School Connectedness: Strategies for Increasing Protective Factors among Youth.

Developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH).

Children and adolescents are establishing patterns of behavior and making lifestyle choices that affect both their current and future health. Families, schools, and communities all need to work together to create an environment that facilitates healthy development of children and adolescents. Research has shown that students who feel more connected to school are more likely to have positive health and education outcomes. The six strategies outlined in this publication provide a framework for increasing students' connectedness to school. In combination with evidence-based health promotion programs, strategies such as these can help schools have the greatest impact on the health and education outcomes of their students.

Trying to raise a healthy child can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. Check out Small Steps: A Good Health Guide. Source: NewYorkTimes.com, March 15, 2012

Need to know the best ways to keep kids safe online? Access this Media Time Family Pledge from the American Academy of Pediatrics. You can also view a video on talking to teens about internet safety.

Every day in the U.S., nearly 87 people die as a result of unintentional poisoning. More than 90% of poisonings occur in the home from substances that include over-the-counter medicines or vitamins; prescription drugs; illegal drugs; carbon monoxide; household cleaners; pesticides; plants; and metals, such as mercury and lead. Learn more.

Source: USA.gov

Nutrition Resources

Want to know how healthy the lunches you pack for your child are? Check out this fun and simple online tool from Parenting magazine.

Get in Touch with Nature: Healthy eating and nutrition takes on new meaning when kids can see how and where the food they eat is grown. This spring and summer, plan to take your kids to local gardens, orchards and farmer's markets to see the variety of produce available. Let them pick out some fruits and/or veggies to eat at home.

Source: Healthy Kids Challenge Wednesday WOWS e-News, March 14, 2012 HealthyKidsChallenge.com

New online tracking tool uses positive rewards to encourage kids to eat better.

Source: PreventObesity.net

Guilford County Schools Happenings

Mark your calendar! Parent Academy Day at Camp Weaver:

Families are invited to join Parent Academy, the YMCA of Greater Greensboro, Guilford Coalition on Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention, GCAE and the Guilford County Council of PTAs for this fun and FREE event.

Come check out Camp Weaver and all it has to offer--canoeing, kayaking, a ropes course, basketball courts and much, much more.

Saturday, May 19 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Camp Weaver Click here for more information and to register. (4924 Tapawingo Trail, Greensboro)

Guilford County School's Monthly Character Theme for March is INTEGRITY: Having the inner strength to be truthful, trustworthy, and honest in all things. Acting justly and honorably.

Consider joining the Great American Clean Up April 21st from 9:00 am until noon. Join Greensboro Beautiful and the City of Greensboro as we clean up our streets, waterways and communities.

Information & registration, contact Lynne Leonard at (336) 373-2957, Lynne.Leonard@greensboro-nc.gov or visit Greensboro Beautiful.

Also join in the fun at the Annual Citywide Earth Day Celebration that same day from 1:00 to 5:00 pm at the Kathleen Clay Edwards branch library. For more Earth Day event information contact Melanie Buckingham or 373-2923.

Check out the Guilford County Schools' Concussion Safety and Awareness Policy updated this past month.

Explore the wonderful variety the world has to offer: Try a new or unusual fruit or vegetable with your kids this month. Happy National Nutrition Month!

Nancy L. Kondracki, MS, RD, LDN

Health & Safety eNewsletter Editor

GCC of PTAs