HEALTHWISE

September 2013 Vol. 5 Issue 1

UPCOMING EVENTS:

OCTOBER 9 - morning

International Walk to School Day

www.walkbiketoschool.org

Walk To School logo

OCTOBER 9 - evening

Family Night:

So families can sit down and eat together

There should be no school-based activities this evening - no homework assigned and no tests given on October 10 for which studying would be required. Families are encouraged to dine together in their homes.

OCTOBER 24

Food Day

www.foodday.org

Food Day 2013

OCTOBER 31 - 9:30am

Health and Wellness Partnership

Community Meeting

22 Valley Road

2nd Floor Conference Room

www.montclairhealthandwellness.org

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This newsletter is made possible by a grant from the Governor's Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.

GCADA

Message from the Director

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

It's that time again! We hope that you had a wonderful summer (a distant memory?) and by now are relishing the cooler weather.

Just about now our kids are finding their way with new teachers, new classrooms, new friends, and perhaps new schools. Time to take stock of where we are and make plans for a happy and healthy school year.

That is exactly what the PTA Health and Wellness Liaisons are doing at your school. Each of our eleven schools has one or more Liaisons who serve on their school's Health and Wellness Committee and are catalysts for promoting health.

Here are some exciting upcoming programs and events that they are making happen. Join us on Facebook for more information.

International Walk to School Day - October 9
Food Day - October 24
Bike to School Day - May 7, 2014
School Gardens

In the article below, Alex Kent gives an update on Safe Routes to School and a new traffic safety campaign in town.

Make your child's day, have fun with walking and biking and gardening. And join your school's Health and Wellness Committee. Contribute to every child's right to a healthy life, one that results in academic and life success.

How to get involved?

Email your PTA Health and Wellness Liaison.

For example:

healthandwellness@bradfordpta.org (Be sure to substitute the name of your own school in the email address.)

Email one of us:

Joanne Aidala, Director: jaidala@montclailrhealthanwellness.org
Karen Straim, Associate Director: kstraim@montclairhealthandwellness.org

Best wishes,

Joanne Aidala, Director

Feature Article

Starting the School Year with Safe Routes to School

By Alex Kent Safe Routes

Safe Routes to School Coordinator, Montclair Township

Health and Wellness Partnership Community Liaison

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is gearing up for the new school year! Last spring, each school received a written report with suggestions on how to improve safety along with a poster-size map showing crossing guards, crosswalk traffic lights and distances. The map is a great tool to help you plan your walk or bike trip to school. If you don't see it in the front hall, ask for it in the main office.

The parent SRTS coordinators in each school are making plans for International Walk to School Day on October 9. Schools will be organizing meeting places, walking routes, and fun rewards and activities for the walking and biking students when they arrive at schools.

Also, this fall is the launch of a new campaign in Montclair that encourages drivers to be more responsible. "Drive With Care in Montclair" will be promoted through banners, posters, flyers and car magnets. The purpose is to warn motorists about safe driving around schools, such as:

Stay within the speed limit
Stop for pedestrians
Stop for stopped school buses
Don't use your cell phone while driving

The Montclair Police Department is fully backing this initiative and plans to ticket offenders. It may come as a surprise to know that it is often parents who are the worst offenders. Most accidents in the vicinity of schools are caused by parents on their way to pick up or drop off their children. Remember, that child crossing the street could be yours!