Success Story Standouts!
North Dakota schools moving successfully toward creating healthy environments
Developing
Life Skills
Jamestown
Public Schools
To
develop decision making and social skills for students, the Life Skills program
was implemented in grades 9 and 11. Life Skills was incorporated into student
curriculum at prime time – meaning the homeroom time spent at the beginning of
the students’ day. The impact of Life Skills will be measured yearly by the
number of disciplinary actions taken by administration and the Youth Risk
Behavior Survey. Plans are in the works to expand the Life Skills program to the
sixth grade.
Happy,
Healthy Days
Kenmare Public School
To create
an excitement for health and promote wellness activities for students, health activities
were integrated into reading and health month as well as T.E.A.M. time
(students gather for 15-minutes of muscle movement and motivation). Peer Mentors
from the high school read to elementary students during reading and health
month. In addition, Peer Mentors and Character Counts members facilitated
learning stations during the reading and health celebration event. Learning
stations included information and activities on physical activity and healthy
snacks. During the mini health week, elementary students received instruction
and interactive activities on hydration, use of pedometers and walking, exercises
using various muscles of the body and studying the food pyramid.
It’s
My Inhaler and I Need it Now!
BCN –
North Central (Rogers)
To allow
students access to their emergency medications, a district-wide policy that
aligned with state law was researched and developed. A new policy was approved
by the school board that allowed students to carry inhalers and epi-pens. This
policy allows students to have their meds available to them in the school, on
the bus or at school events.
Expecting
More and Accepting Less
Larimore
Public Schools
To raise
awareness of underage use of alcohol, a summer policy for alcohol related
extra-curricular violations was developed. Local law enforcement was engaged to
speak with students and work cooperatively with the school to hold ‘ghost day’
and mock crashes during the week of prom. Random breathalyzer checks occur at
all school dances and the school newsletter included alcohol-related statistics
and information to further educate and engage parents on the topic of alcohol
use.
The Toilet
Paper!
Oak Grove Lutheran School
To
increase communication concerning health issues, weekly editions of The
Toilet Paper are posted in all bathroom stalls in the administrative,
faculty/staff and student bathrooms. This paper focuses on the physical,
mental, emotional, social and spiritual health of middle school students. The
Toilet Paper also features an “Ask Ann” column where the school nurse
responds to questions submitted from students. Weekly editions are also posted
to the school website.
Energy
In – Energy Out
Dickinson
Catholic Schools – Trinity High School
To
identify the top two explanations teens skip breakfast, students were asked the
reasons they do not eat a healthy breakfast. The students were a part of the
decision to set up a Healthy Breakfast Cart (complete with a microwave) and to
have the opportunity to attend Ballroom Dance classes once a week (trying to
lose weight was identified as a reason teens skip breakfast; further discussion
identified ways to increase energy output instead of decreasing energy input by
skipping meals). Parent and community volunteers help with the healthy food
options for the cart. Monthly ballroom dancing classes were scheduled and the
participating Seniors requested to do a performance before Prom to show off
their newly acquired skills.
“Weighting”
to Be Healthy
Burlington-Des
Lacs Elementary
To
increase present levels of fitness and cardiovascular activity for students and
staff, a wellness room and classes were proposed. A new policy was developed
and approved to increase the amounts and types of fitness, wellness and
strength training for students and staff. Changes were made to the 7th and 8th
Grade physical education program to include additional fitness class electives
and the wellness room equipment (two treadmills, two elliptical machines, two
stationary bikes, universal weight machine, free weights and miscellaneous
fitness equipment) was purchased and/or maintained. School staff is encouraged
to be role models for students by participating in the wellness room and
fitness classes.
Well U
and Credits too!
Fargo
Public Schools – Ben Franklin
To increase
opportunities for staff wellness and raise the level of physical activity
within the school district, Well U was implemented and a district coordinator
was hired. Through Well U, staff health screenings were offered as well as
one-on-one counseling for folks with chronic and/or lifetime health issues. The
district also offered staff wellness classes for continuing education units
(CEUs). Fifty percent of the classes focused on increasing physical activity
and 50 percent of the classes focused on information/education on specific
health and wellness topics. In addition, Brain Breaks were posted to the
district’s website for 4th grade and 6th grade teachers to use as a resource
for implementing physical activity breaks into their classroom.
Underwood
on the Move
Underwood School
To
promote a healthy lifestyle for staff, the Roughrider Team action plan was
integrated into the school improvement goals and staff members were granted
20-minutes of prep time to participate in a physical activity each day – either
walking or using the school’s fitness center. Information regarding blood
pressure control and screening as well as how to calculate body mass index was
distributed during health screenings provided by the county health nurse. An
educational consultant from BlueCross BlueShield of North Dakota shared a
motivational health and fitness presentation and provided each staff member
with resistance bands and pedometers, along with tips and strategies for their
use.
