Recent News
Office of Healthy Schools Announce Competitive Grants
Mississippi received $1,720,968 to award competitive grants to SFAs to purchase equipment to improve the infrastructure in the NSLP, as well as to stimulate activity within the American economy. This amount will be awarded to SFAs for the purchase of equipment that lends itself to improving the quality of school foodservice meals that meet the dietary guidelines such as convection ovens, steamers, and combination oven steamers. The Mississippi Department of Education's Office of Healthy Schools is currently soliciting competitive applications from Mississippi schools to receive a Quality Improvement Equipment grant up to $38,000 to purchase equipment in school kitchens thereby making a substantial difference in the number of calories and fat eaten by children at school. If you have additional questions please contact Lenora Phillips or Priscilla Ammerman at 601 354 7015.
2009 Quality Improvement Equipment Application
2009 Quality Improvement Equipment Instructions
Press Releases
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act- Child Nutrition Equipment Funds
More kids eating healthier meals at school
H1N1 or commonly called "Swine Flu" Updates
Everyone knows by now of the potential outbreak of the swine flu in the United States and in Mississippi. While this is cause for concern, it should not be cause for alarm. However, to protect our boys and girls while at school, every precaution should be taken to prevent the spread of this flu.
Now is the time that we need to promote activities that can add some protection for you, your staff, your students and community. These activities include frequent hand washing and using appropriate respiratory precautions. These two simple actions are the first line of defense in this and many other contagious situations.
In recent weeks MDE has been involved with the Mississippi State Department of Health, Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, and other agencies in long-term planning for situations such as this, in order to ensure the safety of all citizens. We will keep you informed of any developing information. More information...
Letter on H1N1 flu planning from Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius
Sample Parent Letters
Spanish English
School District (K-12) Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist
For current information from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Global Incident Map Display
Pandemic Planning Resources
Interim CDC Guidance for Nonpharmaceutical Community
Mitigation in Response to Human Infections with Swine Influenza (H1N1) Virus
H1N1 (Swine Flu) Infectrions Alert for Institutions of Higher Education
United States Department of Education Updates
Additional Flu Resources for School Leaders Seeking Guidance
Emergency Planning: Influenza Outbreak
Important Information
WARNING: Do not use aspirin for fever with children or teenagers 18 years of age or younger. For more information on the Reye's Syndrome.
Sample Letter to Notify Parents/Guardians English
Spanish
CDC Swine Influenza (Flu) Brochure
Fact Sheet 1
Fact Sheet 2
Resources for classroom instruction regarding handwashing be found in Health in Action. Health in Action provides 1400 health education and physical education lesson plans.
Sample Health in Action Lesson Plans
Handwashing
Mr. Germ Head
Habits
Additional Activites
Kindergarten
First Grade
Second Grade
Third Grade
Fourth Grade
Fifth Grade
Sixth Grade
Prevention Posters
Healthy Family Habits
Boy Germ Stopper
Girl Germ Stopper
Cover Your Cough
Resources from HealthTeacher
Seven Actions Schools Can Take
HealthTeacher Parent Newsletter English
Spanish
Handwashing Webinar
To view the webinar click on the provided link above
Resources for Custodial Staff
The Mississippi Department of Education, Mississippi State Department of Health, and the American Lung Association will be providing regional healthy school environment trainings for school district custodial staff. This training will cover the steps to effectively cleaning a school building, green cleaning, indoor air quality, best practices, an update on the H1N1 or commonly called "Swine Flu" and the relationship between a healthy school environment and academic achievement. For more information, contact Robert Campbell, Director, Office of Safe and Orderly Schools at 601 359 1737.
Custodial Training Agenda
Custodial Manual
May 6, 2009
May 7, 2009
May 8, 2009
May 11, 2009
May 12, 2009
Green Clean Schools
Custodial Workshop Presentations: May 6 - 12, 2009
Below you will find links to recent news releases from the Mississippi Department of Education highlighting initiatives and resources through the Office of Healthy Schools.
Picture Attached
Local Releases
A first grader at Spann Elementary- Jackson Public Schools, is the first place statewide winner for first grade in the Community Outreach for Health Awareness poster contest that commemorates Mississippi Health Awareness Day on January 15.
Councils help schools promote wellness- Clinton School District
Communities and schools across the state are teaming up to promote healthy behavior while reducing congested streets, lessening pollution, and strengthening communities by implementing Safe Routes to Schools. Report & Info Sheet
2008 Healthy Mississippi Summit - Hosted by Governor & First Lady Marsha Barbour and the Mississippi Department of Education the summit brought together representatives from across the state to address childhood obesity. Local, State & National presenters shared information, resources and success stories focusing on education and prevention. To view the agenda, interviews and powerpoint presentations from the December 17th event click on the provided link.
FreeStyle Campaigns are scheduled across the state to educate Mississippi's youth on tobacco prevention. Smoking rates have stagnated rather than decreased and smokeless tobacco use is on the rise. To learn more about this nontraditional approach and date/location information for your area click on the provided link.
Health in Action
puts health and physical education activities at your fingertips
This database provides hundreds of health and physical education activity ideas in one central online search site where activities can be viewed, searched, re-sorted, and printed. Written by Mississippi teachers, the lesson plans available on Health in Action are designed specifically to help educators fulfill the requirements of the Mississippi Healthy Students Act.
Governor's Commission on Physical Fitness & Sports Awards Reception
The 2007 awards reception was held on the evening of March 4th at the Governor's Mansion in downtown Jackson. Over 30 schools received Gold, Silver or Bronze award designations and the opportunity to meet Governor & First Lady Barbour. To view pictures of this event click on the provided link.
The Office of Coordinated School Health, in cooperation with the Mississippi Alliance for School Health, is pleased to announce the winners of the Mississippi Alliance for School Health Magnolia Meltdown Wellness in My School Contest.
School-Based Body Mass Index (BMI)
School-based body mass index (BMI) School-based body mass index (BMI) measurement has attracted much attention across the nation from researchers, school officials, legislators, and the media as a potential approach to address obesity among youth.
Improving the health of our students is more than just a good idea or a nice gesture; it’s a crucial investment in the future of Mississippi. Our “Health is Academic” initiative is designed to ensure that all of our school children are fit, healthy and ready to succeed!
Take a look at how our schools are already working to improve the health of Mississippi’s students and submit your own Success Story.
Opportunities for Success
Healthy School Environments Measuring Up
The  Health is Academic initiative is proving to be a successful investment in achieving healthy school environments. Many schools and districts throughout Mississippi are now making improvements in nutrition and physical activity. The Office of Healthy Schools would like to recognize school successes in promoting a healthy school environment to support the link between the health of students and academic achievement. Please submit a success reporting form to have your school included in these many Mississippi successes. For more information please contact Christine Philley at cphilley@mde.k12.ms.us.
Mississippi Provides Children a Safe School Environment
The  health and well-being of children greatly depends on the quality and safety of their physical and social/emotional environment at school. Well-designed school buildings, grounds and transportation systems are all necessary to provide safe settings for children. In addition, schools have a responsibility to address emotional and social conditions that create positive school climates. To guide schools in addressing the elements necessary for creating Safe and Orderly Schools, the Office of Healthy Schools has designed a template that may be used to develop a School Safety Manual.
Healthy Schools = Healthy Communities
Promoting student wellness is essential for a number of reasons. Not only does student wellness impact student achievement, but it also it also has an economic effect on school districts. When student attendance is linked to the level of funding for schools, absences resulting from unhealthy children can significantly affect schools financially. With the development and implementation of a Local School Wellness Policy, the entire community is encouraged to become involved in promoting wellness and prevention practices that benefit all citizens.
Mississippians know first hand the importance of hurricane preparedness in reducing the effects of a hurricane disaster. The Mississippi Department of Education in conjunction with key state agencies has developed a thorough emergency evacuation plan that will be put in place when activated by the MS Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).
 Vending Regulations for Mississippi Schools
In 2006 the Mississippi Board of Education adopted a policy regulating the food and beverage items that can be sold to students. To stay up-to-date with policies and current information regarding food and beverage vending items, visit Vending Regulations for Mississippi Schools.
Health and Learning Go Hand in Hand
 Schools represent an environment where children can learn to succeed academically as well as learn to make healthy lifestyle choices necessary to become productive adults. An effective approach works in partnership with school staff and parents and extends out into the community. Coordinated school health should be designed to meet each communities' specific needs; however, our office has provided a guide to Coordinated School Health Implementation.
Is a self-assessment tool for schools to identify their strengths and weakness in order to develop an appropriate action plan to improve school nutrition and physical activity.
|
