BPS Healthy Connections Newsletter
In This Issue
The 5th Annual BPS Wellness Summit
BPS Recognized with $94, 000 Grant from Fuel Up to Play 60
Let's Row Boston
Kick Butts Day Celebrated Across the City!
Educators from Singapore Visit BPS
Staff Wellness in BPS

Upcoming Events & Announcements 


 FREE Sports Safety Clinic for Parents and Coaches     

 Come learn how to keep kids active, healthy and injury-free! Tuesday April 24th from 6:30pm to 8:00pm at Franklin Park William J. Devine Golf Course Function Room. 1 Circuit Drive, Dorchester.

 

Call 617-534-5197 to register.

  

Download the flyer to learn more>>    

     


 
 Food and Nutrition Services is launching the second annual Give the Healthy Choice a Voice contest.  Over 200 submissions were received from BPS students for last year's poster contest (thanks to all of our artists!). This year we are looking for 30-90 second commercials, songs/jingles, or public service announcements that promote the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthy food choices.

 


 Parent University Presents A Free Parent Math Class for K-5 Parents

Come join this fun and supportive 10-week class where you will learn how your children are learning math! Those who never liked math are especially welcome! 

    

Every Wednesday 

March 28 - June 6, 2012

10:30 a.m. -12:30p.m

 Grove Hall Library, Dorchester

41 Geneva Ave, 02124

  

Download the registration form>> 


Patrick J. Kennedy Elementary School's Outdoor Classroom Initiative

 Join PJK Elementary on Sunday, June 3rd in promoting wellness education and healthy eating by enjoying a day for the entire family with a 5k and a kids fun run, music, dancing, zumba and yoga in East Boston's amazing Piers Park. 

 All profits of this event will go directly toward enhancing the barren, asphalt playground, creating a dynamic area of learning, recreation and community living.

  

   


FNS Launching Homemade Hummus & Carrots A La Carte

 FNS is piloting a Farm to School A La Carte menu item in two schools: East Boston High & Mission Hill K-8. Homemade hummus will be served with locally grown carrot coins and sold for only $0.75. FNS will be launching this item at Mission Hill K-8 April 9th, and soon after at East Boston High. 

  


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Issue: 3  
April 2012
You're Invited: 5th Annual BPS Wellness Summit

  

The BPS Wellness Summit brings  together Boston Public Schools teachers, principals, and other school and central staff, along with elected officials, community leaders, and partner organizations to recognize and share best practices in health and wellness from schools across the city. 

This year's Wellness Summit, Celebrating Healthy Connections, will take place Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at the Salvation Army Kroc Center. The day's events will include - remarks by Superintendent Carol R. Johnson, interactive breakout sessions, a keynote address, student performances, an awards ceremony and more.

 

 
BPS Food and Nutrition Services receives $94, 000 Grant from Fuel Up to Play 60 
 
The BPS Department of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) is honored to receive a second Fuel Up to Play 60 grant in the amount of $94,000 for 2012.  This grant award will support efforts to increase breakfast participation in 32 schools across the district, and was launched March 9th at the McCormack Middle School.

 

Healthy Connections Partner Profile:

Let's Row Boston

 

Let's Row Boston is a rowing program for BPS middle and high school students offered by Community Rowing, Inc (CRI) a local, non-profit dedicated to the belief that the sport of rowing provides unique abilities to promote personal and community growth through teamwork, discipline, and physical fitness. 

 

CRI has engaged in a partnership with the BPS Health and Wellness Department to offer rowing as a sport and an activity in PE classes at BPS schools.  Participating in the year-one pilot program are the Thomas Edison K-8 School, Up Academy, James Timilty School, Horace Mann School, and Excel Academy.

 

Download the CRI Outreach flyer to learn more>>

Visit the Community Rowing website>>

Kick Butts Day Celebrated Across the City!

 

Schools across Boston held Kick Butts Day events on March 21st. At

the Hale Elementary students were encouraged to write on a "graffiti wall" to pledge to be tobacco-free; students at the Horace Mann School were able to participate in engaging activities to learn about the health consequences of tobacco use; students at Madison Park were greeted with High Fives in the morning and the halls were decorated with encouraging messages to be tobacco-free and information was provided at the Welcoming Center, Parenting Center and other key entrances to the building.

 

At the MA State House hundreds of high school students from across the state, including many 84 Chapter members from Boston, met the US Surgeon General and discussed the importance of policies restricting youth access. Regional awards were given to student leaders from across Massachusetts. Excel High School senior John Nguyen received the 84 Chapter Statewide Leadership Award. Congratulations John!

 

Learn more about the 2012 Massachusetts Kick Butts Day>> 

 

Read about West Roxbury Academy's participation in Kick Butts Day in the West Roxbury Patch>>

Educators from Singapore Visit BPS 

 

On Tuesday, March 13th thirty-three Physical Education (PE) delegates from Singapore observed Mr. Jose Colon and Mr. Aderito Andrade's P.E. classes at the Orchard Gardens K-8 School and Mrs. Pauline Yee's classes at the Josiah Quincy Elementary School. The group traveled to Boston for the AAPHERD National Convention; while here they gained insight about the Physical Education and Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs in Boston Public Schools.   The delegates, members of Physical Education and Sports Teacher Academy (PESTA), learned about FitnessGram Assessment, the SPARK curriculum, innovative teaching strategies, the use of technology in PE, the Wellness Champion program, and strategies for integrating physical activity into the school day.

 

 

Be Well: BPS Staff Wellness Workshops and Walks 

 

The Health and Wellness Department recently launched its Be Well Staff Wellness Program that provides staff wellness opportunities for all BPS employees. Along with wellness workshops, a member of the Health and Wellness Department will lead an energizing lunch time walk each week. Walkers are encouraged to walk at their own pace and to walk as much or as little as they would like. The weather is getting nice out so come join us for our weekly walks! Walkers can also join teams to compete in a Walk Across America challenge with prizes going to the first team to reach the 3,000 mile walking goal.

 

The group walking schedule is as follows -

  

Walks leaving from Warren St. (Bost Latin Academy Building)

Time: 12:00p-1:00p

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

 

Walks leaving from 26 Court St. Building 

Time: 12:00p-1:00p

Wednesday, April 18th 2012

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

 

For more information please contact Shannon Wyman or call 617-635-6643.