Slauson School Spring 2010 update
All the 6th grade advisory (homeroom) classes have completed the Project Healthy Schools activities recently. They figured out how a school lunch stacked up against the food guide pyramid, made a fruit and veggie salsa, developed a sales pitch for a food item after discussing advertisements and created a healthier fast food using nutrition information. And that’s just part of what they did! All 10 lessons revolve around at least one of the five goals of Project Healthy Schools:
- East less fast and fatty foods.
- Make wise beverage choices (milk, water and 100% juice)
- Get at least 30 minutes of activity most days.
- Eat more fruits and veggies.
- Include less mindless screen time.
In April approximately 50 sixth grade students who had signed up in the fall participated in a screening to check their cholesterol, blood pressure and fitness levels. Result letters will be sent home to parents in June. A big thanks to all who participated.
The school’s health team is focusing on increasing activity at Slauson this year. A committee-planned stair walking activity proved to have some unexpected challenges. Instead teachers were urged to take students outside for a walk during advisory time. Several 6th grade advisories bundled up and walked at least one day per week all winter. Currently an all-school walk is planned for ACES (all children exercising simultaneously) Day, May 5 at 10:15. Slauson students will join millions of other students exercising at that same time. Year-end events will focus around activity, too. What’s happening at your house to encourage daily activity? A family walk? Riding bikes together? Make this the summer your family becomes more active!
The health team is looking for a parent or two to join the committee next year. Meetings are monthly, usually at 2:45pm and they last 45 minutes to an hour. We will choose the time to meet next fall. If you have ideas or thoughts about how we can make Slauson a healthier place to be, please let me know (email: cfitz@umich.edu).
Several staff members are participating in a district-wide charity fitness challenge. Participants track their exercise/activity minutes and the team with the most points chooses a charity to receive the participation fees. Dr. Curtis is leading the team this year. Good luck and go Golden Bears!
Look for Farm Fresh Feature to return in May. The cafeteria is featuring regionally produced fruits and veggies once or twice a week and it is free for everyone! Thank you, Chartwells, our food service company for picking up the check! The more fruits and vegetables students try, the greater the chance they will include fruits and vegetables on a regular basis. Make it a goal at your house to include a fruit and/or veggie at every snack and meal!
Yours in health,
Cathy Fitzgerald, MA, RD
Project Healthy Schools Wellness Coordinator at Slauson
734-975-3060
Project Healthy Schools’
Five Healthy Habits
- Eat more fruits and vegetables
- Make better beverage choices (water, lowfat milk, 100% juice)
- Include at least 30 minutes of activity most days
- Eat less fast and fatty food
- Spend less time in front of screens (TV, video, gaming, computer)
Project Healthy Schools introduces sixth graders to these healthy habits through a variety of fun, interactive events. Project Healthy Schools’ events include:
- A kickoff assembly on November 16 where 6th grade students take part in skits that introduce the rest of their class to the five healthy habits listed above.
- A health screening on November 16 for students whose parents consented.
- 10 hands-on activities in advisory class that focus on making healthy food choices and getting more activity starting in January.
- Physical education activities, a classroom contest to see which class is putting healthy habits into action and other events.
In middle school students are making more decisions about food and activity. Habits developed today often will remain throughout their adult life.
This year’s Walk to School Day, October 7, was coordinated by Ms Newell. Students who walked, biked or were dropped off further from school than usual signed in on a footprint banner. The banner was posted in the entry hallway (see the picture below). Altogether this group covered approximately 30 miles, the distance to Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
All students were more active on Walk to School Day because they headed outside and walked in the Bear Bowl for 10 minutes. This group of 605 students and staff covered the equivalent of 460 miles, more than the distance to Iowa City, the site of that Saturday’s football game.
Did you know activity helps students learn better? It also decreases discipline problems and it does a body good to fit in activity everyday. Golden Bears are on the GO!
Slauson’s School Health Team includes Mr. McIntyre, Ms McNutt, Ms Chabot, Ms Newell, Ms Rittenhouse (Slauson nurse) and two students, Kelly Creal and Corrine Brecht from Slauson;,Deb Reichard, a Slauson parent and Cathy Fitzgerald, the PHS coordinator. Hand sanitizers are in the cafeteria and every classroom now as a result of this group’s efforts. This year we are considering working to increase participation in breakfast at school, encouraging more activity during advisory or increasing staff wellness opportunities. Let Cathy know if you have other suggestions.
If you have questions please contact Cathy Fitzgerald, 975-3060 or cfitz@umich.edu
September, 2008-June, 2009
- The Project Healthy Schools (PHS) kickoff event featured Slauson students acting out PHS goals and involved everyone in moving to the music of Cupid Shuffle
- Health Ambassadors (graduate, undergraduate students, parents and Cathy) led 10 PHS activities in each of the 6th grade advisory classrooms
- At two special PE add-ons, all 6th grade students took part in stations doing three different types of activity (strength training, flexibility and aerobic). The second event was a ‘boot camp’ experience with group exercise set to music.
- The school wellness team composed of Doug McIntyre, Pat Chabot, Lori McNutt, Barb Newell, Cathy Fitzgerald (PHS) and parent, Emily Nease, completed the Healthy School Action Tool evaluation and set new goals. Students will join the team in the fall. Hand sanitizers were installed in the cafeteria.
- PHS articles in the MORE newsletter shared tips about how to make healthier food choices, get more activity and PHS happenings.
- E-notes updated parents on PHS activities and community health events that they could attend.
- Eighth grade students participated in a heart healthy screening in the spring as a continuation of a research study they volunteered for when they were in 6th grade.
- Staff was surveyed to determine their personal interest in exercise classes, brain breaks, using non food rewards in the classroom, heart disease information fact sheets. Each participant received requested materials.
- A bulletin board in the cafeteria highlighted the advisory classrooms’ PHS activities. Favorites included the Milk Moustache (pictures of students with moustaches) and the Veggie Election (vote for your favorite) displays.
- Farm Fresh Friday provided fresh, regionally grown fruits or vegetables free to all the students in the cafeteria in the fall and spring
- Slauson students were reminded to participate in Walk to School day in October by Barb Newell, PE teacher.
- All students got active on All Children Exercising Simultaneously (ACES) Day in May by walking around the Bear Bowl.
- Many advisories included at least one walk a week and some played basketball weekly.
- Attended in PTSO meetings and assisted with snack ideas for dances and events.
- Assisted in planning and participated at the end-of-the-year Vet’s Park day of swimming and games for the 6th and 7th graders. PHS gathered equipment for volleyball, kickball, Chicago-style softball and other fun, active games.
Coming this fall . . .
- Get some more activity into your life and support PHS by registering for the Big House Big Heart run/walk. You finish on the 50 yard line in the Big House!
- Start a Big House Big Heart team and designate PHS as your charity of choice!
- Come to the Pancake Breakfast PHS is sponsoring on October 3 at Pioneer High School from 9am-3pm. Check out the Big House Big Heart Expo, too.
- More Farm Fresh Fridays and Wednesdays are coming. Melons, peaches berries, cucumbers and other delicious produce will be offered to student on Wednesdays and Fridays this September and October.
Enjoy the summer by eating lots of fresh, locally produced foods and getting lots of activity!
February-March, 2009
What’s Happening at Slauson Middle School?
Be sure to visit the Parents Page to get more ideas on how you can make healthy lifestyles a part of your family’s life.
Cafeteria
- There’s a new bulletin board highlighting activity posted in the cafeteria. veggie election is on display
- Look for results from the Veggie election! What is Slauson’s favorite vegetable?
Academic classrooms
- Which advisory put into practice the message of choosing healthier beverages (milk, water, juice), getting more activity and eating more fruits and vegetables? Students tracked their beverages (milk, water and juice earned them points) during week one, minutes of activity for week 2 and veggie and fruit choices during week three. The advisory that has the most points wins the PHS trophy, gets to have a smoothie party and each class member receives a pedometer. Several individual winners receive prizes, too, including an iPod shuffle, Borders gift cards or frisbies.
- Making salsa, the PHS activity #5, during advisory has been lots of fun. Ask your 6th grader about how to make this fruit/veggie treat! It’s easy and something you can do at home. The recipe is on the Parents page this month
School Health Team
- Evaluating and brainstorming new ideas to improve school-wide health is the current focus. At the next meeting Thursday, March 26, from 3-4 we will set goals and action steps. Join us!
Looking Ahead
- Kids will be able to have their pictures taken sporting a milk moustaches in March during lunch time. The pictures will be displayed!
- Tracker winners will be announced and applauded.
January 2009
Parents, we need you! Project Healthy Schools is currently looking for a few volunteers to lead PHS activities during advisory (11:30-noon) once a week for 10 weeks beginning in mid-January. These read and lead activities are hands-on 20-25 minute lessons that encourage students to discover how to make healthier choices and get more physical activity by using lots of props and hands-on props. Please call Cathy Fitzgerald at 975-3060 or email her at cfitz@umich.edu to get more information.
Sixth graders:
Project Healthy Schools is set to begin working with sixth graders at Slauson to increase their physical activity and healthy food choices in January. Students will learn new skills and build habits that make them healthier today and tomorrow. Sixth grade students participate in:
- 10 hands-on activities that are part of advisory class beginning in mid-January.
- physical education classes to expose students to different activities that get everyone moving. The first is scheduled for the end of January.
- extra activities like a tracking contest, a fun day or ACES (All Children Exercising Simultaneously), to encourage healthy eating and more physical activity
Eighth graders:
It's time to sign (parents and students) a new PHS form iso you can continue to be a part of PHS screening through 10th grade. If you have the form that came with your report card please take a minute to read, complete and return the last page. A signed consent (the last page) is needed to continue in the heart healthy screenings. Screenings will be in the spring of eighth, ninth and 10th grade and parents will receive a results letter after each screening.
If you want to know more about Project Healthy Schools or would like to get involved as a parent volunteer, please contact Cathy Fitzgerald at 734-975-3060 or cfitz@umich.edu
