School Health Councils Samantha Heard Executive Board Member, MASH Physical Education Chair, AFHK State Health Systems Director, ACS

Why School Health Councils? “ Schools have more influence on the lives of young people than any other social institution except the family and provide a setting in which friendship networks develop, socialization occurs, and norms that govern behavior are developed and reinforced.” -Department of Health and Human Services; Healthy People 2010

Training Components Step 1: Get Together Step 2: Create a Vision Step 3: Develop a Plan Step 4: Take Action Step 5: Maintaining Momentum

Get Together Learn about School Health Councils Commit to work together on school health Involve the right people Hold the first meeting Decide to act

Background School Health Advisory Councils Handout: “Benefits of a School Health Council” Office of Healthy Schools Website

Goal of School Health Councils The Council can engage in communication and problem-solving and make recommendations related to school health policies, programs, and practices within the school that reflect community concerns, values, and resources.

Commit to work together Obtain Support and Guidance from School Leadership Determine the school staff that will lead/facilitate the council. Determine the school staff that will attend meetings and provide information. Request that Principals attend the meetings.

Involve the Right People Parents who are not employed by the school district; Public schoolteachers; Public school administrators; Students; Health care professionals; The business community; Law enforcement; Senior citizens; The clergy; Nonprofit health organizations; and Faith-based organizations. The representation from the following are mandated by Mississippi State Law:

Involve the Right People Any group is only as good as its members Broad and Diverse Include Students and Parents Formal and Informal Leaders Resources—business, healthcare, etc.

Commit to work together Look into other established groups Safe and Drug Free programs TEAM nutrition programs School wellness programs PTA/PTO

Involve the Right People Review “Community Partners to Invite” Take a moment to review this in your group Pause the training to go through this worksheet!

Involve the Right People Invite those you wish to serve Sample “Letter Template” provided Sample “Response Form” provided Sample “Information Sheet” provided Open-meetings Notices Sample “News Release” provided

Hold the First Meeting Logistics Set the date, time and location for your first meeting Send out the invitations Send out the media notices Prepare… Handout: “Meeting Planner”

Hold the First Meeting Agenda “Agenda Planning Guide” provided Items listed as Appendix C are provided for your use as a transparency set PAUSE the training and review Meeting Planner, Agenda, and Presentation materials!

Hold the First Meeting Goal of the first meeting: Provide background Engage community in school health Solicit long-term involvement

Decide to Act Engage participants in a commitment to action… Make the case for school health and the school health councils. Make members feel a sense of responsibility to the cause of making our children healthier, happier, and ready to learn.

National Association of State Boards of Education “ Health and success in school are interrelated. Schools cannot achieve their primary mission of education if students and staff are not healthy and fit physically, mentally, and socially.” — Fit, Healthy, and Ready to Learn: Part 1 – Physical Activity, Healthy Eating, and Tobacco Use Prevention, 2000