homearticle archives January/February 2007 supplemental article

Health Promotion Schools of Excellence - A Coordinated School Health Approach

By Cheryl Scanlon, M.A., C.S.C.S.

Got health and fitness? Local Health Promotion Schools of Excellence do! There are 59 schools involved, including 50 JCPS District schools (40 elementary, three middle, three high, two special and two Head Start schools) and nine Catholic schools (six kindergarten through grade 8 and three high schools). HPSE (Health Promotion Schools of Excellence) is a coordinated school health program designed to promote and maintain healthy lifestyles and to reduce health-risk behaviors of students, staff and parents.

Each school selected to participate in the HPSE Program designs a plan of action with activities and programs to assist in learning, practicing and incorporating healthy behaviors related to:

• Cancer prevention and early detection
• Injury prevention
• Physical fitness
• Cardiovascular disease

HPSE adopted Coordinated School Health (CSH) to follow as a guide in implementing the plan of action. CSH schools combine education with other support systems to encourage the adoption and maintenance of healthy behaviors to last a lifetime. It includes programs for staff and parents to reinforce what students are learning and striving to attain. Parents, schools and communities can make positive contributions to the health and education of our students through the CSH approach because we have a captive audience both at home and school.

While each school creates its own plan of action based on individual needs, they all implement the following components of CSH:

• Physical Education and Other Physical Activity Programs: All schools participating in HPSE test the whole school for Physical Best to measure upper and lower body strength, Body Mass Index, flexibility and aerobic endurance. A report goes home to parents letting them know how their child's fitness level is compared to a national standard based on age and gender group. Schools such as Bowen Elementary take it a step further; they have a Physical Best report card. Each child gets to review all fitness components and then set goals for improvement. By involving the parent and the child it helps reinforce healthy habits. Layne Elementary started an after-school cross-country program and has 46 kids, along with parents, getting fit together. Notre Dame Academy has a Hike and Bike program.
• Nutrition Services: Cochrane Elementary has a "5 A Day" Week encouraging five fruits and vegetables. Lowe Elementary implemented a "Nutrition Nickel" program and rewards kids for eating fruits and vegetables.
• Health Services: Vision and hearing screenings are offered at all JCPS schools. In collaboration with the University of Louisville Medical School, medical students offer hand-washing lessons. Free immunization clinics are held at JCPS elementary, middle and high schools. Free dental screenings are provided for several schools.
• Health Promotion for Staff: A majority of schools offer free cholesterol and health screenings for staff. Brandeis Elementary created a "Race Ya!" walking program for all staff. Gutermuth Elementary has a Secret Health Santa in December and a staff relaxation program.
• Family and Community Involvement: Young Elementary has a "Hip-Hopercize" program for staff, students and parents. Indian Trail Elementary has a grandparents' lunch and Family Fun Nights. St. Gabriel has a walk-a-thon and Bates Elementary has Family Walk Nights.
• Counseling, Psychological and Social Services: Shawnee High School implemented a truancy court. Assumption High School has "Love Your Self" Month to review such topics as eating disorders and self-esteem.
• Health and Safety Policies and Environment : Hawthorne Elementary has a "Boosters and Belts" education program for parents. Atkinson Elementary provides pedestrian safety education for walkers. A majority of schools provide a "Stranger Danger" program.
• Health Education : Several schools attend Safety City and Norton Kosair Children's Hospital's "Safe Kids" week to learn about their health.

There are many things happening within HPSE schools that focus on Coordinated School Health. These are just examples within the specific components and do not include all of the excellent programs and activities each HPSE school incorporates. Each school's individual plan of action incorporates programs that increase students', staffs' and parents' overall health and wellness. The exciting thing for HPSE schools isn't just the possibility of educating students, staff and parents on health promotion. It's the reality of opportunities that have a long-term impact on the overall health and wellness of behaviors that last a lifetime.

Cheryl Scanlon, M.S., holds a master's degree in health promotion from the University of Louisville. She is a Program Specialist II with JCPS Health Promotion Schools of Excellence program. Cheryl and her husband enjoy a variety of activities with their two children and compete in triathlons for fun and fitness.