The Washington State Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
kicked off the first annual Washington School Board Challenge to
recognize and reward school districts that seek to improve the health of
their students by promoting proper nutrition and regular physical
activity.
The School Board Challenge provides a vehicle to express
appreciation to school board members, dedicated educators, school
administrators, and community leaders who strive to provide physical and
nutrition education, healthier meals, and physical activity
opportunities for all students. By identifying exemplary policies, the
challenge will share information about effective strategies with school
districts throughout the state.
"I was pleased to accept this challenge on behalf of
Washington’s 296 local school boards," said Martharose Laffey, Executive
Director of the Washington State School Directors’ Association. "School
districts play an increasingly important role in promoting good
childhood nutrition and exercise. Educators know that kids who get
enough of the right foods to eat before and during the school day have
fewer behavior problems and higher achievement in the classroom."
School Board Challenge award winners will receive a
certificate of recognition, and the most outstanding programs will be
awarded a cash prize of up to $2,000 from Stonyfield Farm. The deadline
for applications is April 1, and winners will be announced in May. More
information will be available at the WSSDA Annual Conference.
One resource that school districts can turn to is a Web
site developed by the State Board of Health,
www.healthyschoolswa.org.
The site identifies resources for school officials and others to help
children choose health-promoting foods, be physically active, and be
ready to learn at school. Research has shown that children’s cognitive
development and academic achievement are strongly linked to proper
nutrition and ample physical activity. The Web site showcases model
school nutrition policies and programs and includes data, reports and
other materials supporting healthy school environments.
The Department of Health can also provide information on
various disease outbreaks, injury incidents and allergies/asthma
attributed to exposure to animals found in public settings. Students can
come into contact with these animals at school or during visits to
off-campus animal exhibits. The Division of Environmental Health
developed recommendations to reduce the risk of disease transmission and
other adverse health outcomes. Information can be found under "Zoonotic
Diseases" on their Web site,
www.doh.wa.gov/ehp.
