HWS Conference Calls
To Be Determined….
Student Spotlight on Mental Health
Andrea Nadolny is a junior at Thomas Worthington High School who has been working on projects to address mental health from a students perspective during this pandemic as well as advocating for suicide prevention through community projects.
Andrea helped create community murals addressing the topic which you can read about HERE
Andrea created an infographic for use in schools and the community regarding suicide prevention, get this HERE
Also Andrea wrote this article on Mental Health Awareness in schools, read it HERE
Parents for Healthy Kids is alive!
Action for Healthy Kids and National PTA, with support from ALDI, have teamed up to create ParentsforHealthyKids.org, a new website that teaches parents how to get involved in school health and wellness to create healthier schools where kids can thrive.
The site is unlike any other dedicated to school health—it’s by parents for parents, no matter what your knowledge or experience is in school health. The interactive site includes:
QUIZZES: Do you really know how healthy your child’s school is?
LIKE A BOSS: Everything you need to navigate the hallways of school health and wellness.
HOT TOPICS: Physical Activity & P.E., Recess, Good Eats, Snack Time, Fundraisers and Policy.
INSPIRATION: Videos and testimonials that will inspire you to get started or keep going.
A COMMUNITY FORUM: exchange ideas and connect with other parents
Wherever and whenever you are ready to champion healthy habits in your child’s school, take the first step by visiting ParentsforHealthyKids.org.
Safe Routes to School
National PTA is partnering with Safe Routes to School National Partnership and Kaiser Permanente to encourage families to walk more while keeping track of their steps. PTAs may also access tools available to turn this program into a healthy fundraising option. Fire Up Your Feet helps PTA members live healthier and connect with their families.
Healthy Lifestyles
PTA’s Healthy Lifestyles program provides family-centered education and tools to empower families to partner with schools and advocate for healthy changes around nutrition and physical activity. It also strives to create an environment at home that supports the positive changes happening at school.
Bullying
Bullying can happen anywhere that young people gather, including online, via text and on social networks. This program encourages PTAs to engage student leaders to lead conversations about how bullying is affecting their communities and to develop collaborative solutions.
Other Helpful Programs
A majority of substance-free adolescents credit their parents for the decision not to use illegal substances.
Likewise, teachers and other authority figures can have a similar influence on youth and their decision-making. Parents, mentors and peers can make a difference just by talking to the young people in their lives about drug use. Please Start Talking!
Watch the webinar: Ohio PTA presents a Start Talking! webcast for parents and families.
National PTA, National Education Association (NEA), and LYSOL have partnered to educate students and families about health and hygiene both in the classroom and at home, with the Healthy Habits Program.
A three-part video series is designed to help create a safer environment for children with severe allergies.
National PTA partnered with Safe Kids Worldwide to develop a program guide, safety lessons and promotional tools.
A new interactive online tool developed by LifeLock and National PTA. The Smart Talk lets parent-child duos set ground rules together about smart digital habits. It’s fun and engaging, and together, we can help educate a new generation of good digital citizens.
On July 1, 2014, the Smart Snacks guidelines – which originated from the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 – went into effect. All schools enrolled in the National School Lunch Program must comply with the nutrition guidelines for what is considered “competitive food” – more commonly referred to as “Smart Snacks”. Resources, including “A PTA’s Guide to Smart Snacks in Schools”, are readily available to help your PTA be a successful partner in this transition.
Children's Exposure to Violence
National Response to Address Children’s Exposure to Violence
Did you know that more than half of this nation’s children – estimated at 43 million – will have their lives touched by violence, crime, abuse, and psychological trauma this year? It will happen in their homes, neighborhoods, schools, playgrounds or playing fields, locker rooms, place of worship, shelters, streets, or in juvenile detention centers. The U.S. Attorney General’s Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence is a must read report for every parent, guardian, and/or community stakeholder.
Visit National PTA for additional resources.
