Student Health & Wellness Sioux Falls School District Action Plan EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Transcription

1 Student Health & Wellness Sioux Falls School District Action Plan EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Purpose of Report: To update the School Board on the Health and Wellness Task Force recommendations and to inform the School Board of the Student Health and Wellness Initiative. The Sioux Falls School District and community organizations concerned about the health and wellness of students have spent the last several months developing an action plan to reduce childhood obesity and improve the quality of life for students. The following report highlights the problem and offers reasonable solutions Fact: 32% of the students in Minnehaha County are overweight or obese Goal: Less than 10% of the students in Minnehaha County will be considered overweight or obese. PE teachers use newest version of Fitnessgram/Activitygram to assess student fitness and activity levels, to annually report to parents, to track individual student progress over time, and to personalize wellness plans with types and intensities of activity. Sponsored by $13,000 grant from Sanford Health. Incorporate Physical Best as a part of the K-12 physical education curriculum. The program teaches cognitive concepts and knowledge through activity, enjoyment of physical activity and inclusiveness of all children. Physical Best Assess, Monitor & Report Fitness Levels High School Wellness Coaches PreK-12 Health & Wellness Referral Teams 2015 Goal Less than 10% of the students in Minnehaha County will be considered overweight or obese. Health and Wellness Team sensitively contacts parents of students not in the Healthy Fitness Zone to facilitate development of an intervention plan. Parents & Community Partners Invite high school students referred by Health and Wellness team to enroll in a year-long health and wellness integrated course staffed by a wellness coach. Health and Wellness Team connects parents with Community Partners who provide various intervention services: Nutrition Education; Diabetes Education; Hygiene Education; Psychological Support; Fitness Training and Wellness Coaching. Administrative Recommendation to School Board: Acknowledge the Health and Wellness Task Force recommendations and the Student Health and Wellness Initiative. Report Prepared by: Superintendent s Office March 22, 2010

2 Student Health and Wellness Sioux Falls School District Action Plan Report Purpose of Report: To update the School Board on the Health and Wellness Task Force recommendations and to inform the School Board of the Student Health and Wellness Initiative. District Priority Area: Student Personal Growth Skills Goal/Strategy: SPGS2.2 Develop a differentiated K-12 Health & Wellness model for recommendation to the Health/Wellness Task Force. Explanation: Background Information On June 8, 2008 the Sioux Falls School District s Health and Wellness Task Force made recommendation to the School Board that a Health and Wellness Guiding Team be established for the purpose of researching, reviewing and making recommendation for a district-wide student health and wellness program. The Health and Wellness Task Force consisting of community members, parents, and educators served the critical purposes of a) completing the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Coordinated School Health needs assessment and b) developing specific recommendations to improve student health and wellness. As a result of completing the CDC s Coordinated School Health needs assessment, the Health and Wellness Task Force concluded that a differentiated approach to health and wellness for students must be established. The Health and Wellness Task Force directed that a Guiding Team research, review, design and make recommendation for a differentiated health and wellness program for students that might include: Structured physical activity available throughout the regular school day Differentiated delivery of physical education Individualized wellness plans for each student Utilization of physical education teachers as wellness coaches Assessment of student fitness and annual reporting to parents Involvement of the community A Guiding Team was established and began presenting its recommendation to various focus groups in November, The members included 2 community members, 3 District physical education teachers, and 4 District support members. Definition of the Problem The United States has an obesity epidemic. Although commonly thought of as an adult disease, obesity is a growing problem in children and adolescents and its consequences are increasing in society. The prevalence of obesity has dramatically risen among children in the United States. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) reported: Obesity is a serious health concern for children and adolescents. Data from NHANES surveys ( and ) show that the prevalence of obesity has increased: for children aged 2-5 years, prevalence increased from 5.0% to 12.4%; for those aged 6-11 years, prevalence increased from 6.5% to 17.0%; and for those aged years, prevalence increased from 5.0% to 17.6%. Report Prepared by: Superintendent s Office 1 March 22, 2010

3 The American Diabetes Association reports that 1 out of every 3 children born today will face a future with diabetes if current trends continue. Having excess weight during childhood increases the chance that the individual will be obese as an adult. Obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, degenerative joint disease, and psychological problems. Health Affairs reports that people who are obese spend about $1,500 more per year on medical costs than the average-weight person. Overall, the price of obesity is $147 billion per year in the United States just over 9% of all medical costs. A growing body of evidence indicates that poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and obesity are associated with lower levels of academic achievement. There are multiple causes of childhood obesity, most of which are associated with poor nutritional habits and inactivity. The South Dakota School Height and Weight data indicated that in Minnehaha County 16.5% of the students were overweight and 15.5% were obese for a combined total of 32% of students overweight/obese. In the combined total of students overweight/obese in Minnehaha County was 31.1%. The Sioux Falls School District 1) provides physical education at the elementary, middle school and high school levels and 2) has implemented a supplemental foods policy and promotes healthy food and beverage choices. In addition, the Health and Wellness Task Force recommends implementation of a systemic student health and wellness program. Action Plan Implementing a district-wide health and wellness program is essential to decreasing childhood obesity and preparing students to live healthy, active, productive lives. The success of the program must be determined by annually increasing the percent of students whose fitness levels fall within a healthy fitness zone. After researching existing models and holding teleconferences with other school districts, contacting professional organizations such as the AAHPERD, the APTA and AOTA (professional associations for physical and occupational therapists), conducting comprehensive internet searches including PubMed /MEDLINE, reviewing Human Kinetics product demonstrations, seeking teacher and student input, and engaging in multiple guiding team discussions, the Guiding Team and the overall Health and Wellness Task Force recommend: 1. The K-12 physical education program utilize the most current version of the Fitnessgram/Activitygram program to assess student fitness and activity levels, to annually report student results to parents/guardians, to track individual student fitness and activity levels over time, and to personalize student wellness plans with types and intensities of activity. $13,000 Sanford Health grant to purchase Fitnessgram/Activitygram 2 hours of program training for each physical education teacher completed Fitnessgram data entry support (explore potential of volunteer assistance) 2. Establish a Pre-K Health and Wellness Referral Team consisting of the family service facilitator, school nurse, early childhood teacher and administrator. The team analyzes the health condition of each child and with sensitivity, contacts the parent/guardian and facilitates development of an intervention plan that involves participating community partners. Report Prepared by: Superintendent s Office 2 March 22, 2010

4 3. Establish a Health and Wellness Referral Team at each building consisting of the PE teacher, counselor, and school nurse. The physical education teacher refers students whose fitness level scores on all areas (aerobic capacity, muscle strength, endurance, flexibility, and body composition) are not in the Healthy Fitness Zone. Focused on sensitivity and relationship building, the Referral Team contacts the parent/guardian and facilitates development of an intervention plan that involves participating community partners. The School Nurse Childhood Obesity Prevention Education (SCOPE) program will be utilized as a base for developing the plan. Train school nurses in the SCOPE program 4. Establish a network of community partners to provide necessary interventions for students referred by the Health and Wellness Referral Team. Such interventions might include: nutrition education, hygiene education, diabetes education, psychological support, or physical fitness training. See Attachment A for list of community partners and services. 5. Invite incoming 9 th grade students referred by middle school Health and Wellness Referral Teams to enroll in a year-long health and wellness integrated course. The first step in this process is to sensitively engage the student and parent/guardian in the benefits of the course. The one credit course will meet the.5 credit PE graduation requirement as well as a.5 Health or elective credit requirement. In addition, existing high school students may be referred for invitation by high school physical education teachers. The course will be staffed by a wellness coach with no more than a 1:15 teacher-student ratio in each class. Participants will complete a Fitnessgram and receive customized coaching and guidance. Determine FTE allotment Design year-long high school health and wellness integrated course 6. Incorporate Physical Best program as a part of the K-12 physical education curriculum. The purpose of Physical Best is to assist physical education teachers in teaching healthrelated fitness education with a focus on teaching cognitive concepts and knowledge through activity, enjoyment of physical activity and inclusiveness of all children. TBD at time of curriculum adoption Communicating Initiative and Empowering Others to Act Plan presented to the following focus groups for feedback: District PE teachers November 17 and 23, 2009 Building administrators November 17, 2009 School counselors November 20, December 11, 2009 and January 15, 2010 Health and Wellness Task Force for feedback and to incorporate revisions to date November 24, 2009 and March 4, 2010 School nurses December 11, 2009 Representative group of parents January 7, 2010 Potential community partners to solicit participation with Health and Wellness Task Force January 14, March 16, 2010 Superintendent s Student Forum February 1, 2010 Report Prepared by: Superintendent s Office 3 March 22, 2010

5 Implementation Timeline School Year Implement Fitnessgram/Activitygram in all Physical Education classrooms across the district. Pilot Health and Wellness Referral Team program at two elementary schools (Discovery and Laura B. Anderson), one middle school (Whittier), and one high school (Washington). Pilot high school year-long Physical Education and Wellness Coach model at Washington High School. August 2011 Implement program in all schools in conjunction with Physical Education curriculum implementation. Costs: Community Partner in-kind and financial contributions. See Attachment A. Committee Participation: Twenty-two members of the Health and Wellness Task Force and 5 members of the Guiding Team. Both committees represented community, parents, and staff. Summary: The South Dakota School Height and Weight data indicated that in Minnehaha County 16.5% of the students were overweight and 15.5% were obese for a combined total of 32% of students overweight/obese. In the combined total of students overweight/obese in Minnehaha County was 31.1%. The Health and Wellness Task Force recommends implementation of a systemic student health and wellness program designed to assess, monitor, and report fitness levels; utilize Health and Wellness Referral Teams to engage families with community partners; enhance the Physical Education curriculum and implement high school wellness coaches. Administrative Recommendation to School Board: Acknowledge the Health and Wellness Task Force recommendations and the Student Health and Wellness Initiative. Report Prepared by: Superintendent s Office 4 March 22, 2010

6 STUDENT HEALTH & WELLNESS INITIATIVE Organization Program Description Participant Fee American Heart Association Obesity/cardio vascular disease risk factor education, physical education and activity information. Augustana College Avera Health CrossFit Kids Sioux Falls Dakota Kids DakotaCare Girls on the Run of Sioux Falls Augustana Exercise Science and Fitness Management students as mentors for identified PK-12 students. Research and writing articles to add to the body of knowledge regarding significant health challenges. Avera/HyVee program to provide nutrition education, healthy menu planning, food preparation and "nutrition made easy program." Fun, positive, life-long fitness for ages 3 and up. Program is broad, general and inclusive to meet the needs of the participant. 12 week Dakota Kids Program - Interactive program that is designed to educate K-12 children on the basics of nutrition, exercise, team building, and building self-esteem through goal setting. 3 certified wellness coaches available for 6th-12th grade students. Personalized goal setting in areas of wellness to include fitness, nutrition, weight, stress, health and management of medical conditions (hypertension, cardiovascular health, diabetes, obesity and asthma), health risks and lifestyle issues as they influence wellness. Team challenge programs and healthy lifestyle education available for all school aged children. Nationally recognized 10 week after-school program for 3rd-5th grade girls that uses lessons, games, activities and non-competitive running to educate girls in self-respect and healthy living. Sliding Fee $75 per student/month $240 per child/scholarships available Sliding Fee ($25 to $100) HyVee Junior League La Voz Hispana Multicultural Center Sanford Health Sioux Empire United Way USF Exercise Science Dept X Fitness Avera/HyVee program to provide nutrition education, healthy menu planning, and "Nutrition made easy program" Data entry support for Fitnessgram/Activitygram and volunteers to serve as activity mentors for high school students. Translation services for communicating with Spanish speaking community. Assist with translation and communication for English as a Second Language families and delivers the United Way Karate for Kids Program. Health and Wellness Navigator to coordinate overall initiative, provides a variety of wellness services for students and families, and coordination/funding for research/program evaluation. Scholarship K-8 children into different activities through "Connecting Kids" up to $100/child per year. Mentoring for teachers and PK-12 students on a variety of fitness and nutrition related topics by USF faculty and Senior students. Partner with project for research and program evaluation. 12 week XRKade program (physical activity through gaming) - age 6-18, tracking fitness levels, nutrition counseling, family night sessions, maintenance program. Sliding Fee /Sliding Fee/$16,000 of Scholarship funds $220-$300 for 12 weeks depending on group size/ scholarships YMCA facility use as available for referred families/students. YWCA Variety of health and wellness activities and lessons. Fees/Scholarships Attachment A March 22, 2010