Physical health is the physical wellbeing of the school community and its members.
Environments that enhance student learning require attention to the physical health and safety needs of the entire school community. Research demonstrates that academic achievement improves in schools where students are physically healthy and feel physically safe. Ultimately, a healthy school community is the foundation for a comprehensive high-quality education.
Presents the latest PALA+ update, released in March 2017. The PALA+ healthy eating goals have been refreshed to reflect new guidance from the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The updated resources support health educators as they develop physical health promotion programs in schools.
Contains information that references resources, programs, and services that support children's physical and mental health. Information is organized into five High-Impact Opportunity sections: helping eligible students and family members enroll in health insurance; providing and expanding reimbursable health services in schools; providing or expanding services that support at-risk students; promoting healthy school practices through nutrition, physical activity, and health education; and building local partnerships and participating in hospital community health needs assessments.
Provides a framework for teachers, administrators, and policy makers in designing or selecting curricula, allocating instructional resources, and assessing student achievement and progress. Importantly, the standards provide students, families and communities with concrete expectations for health education.
Details the need for opportunities for children and adolescents to regularly engage in fun and age-appropriate physical activities to maintain healthy development and fitness. The brief, developed by the National Center on Safe and Supportive Learning Environments (NCSSLE), underscores the importance of physical activity for children's health, identify roles schools can promote school-based physical activity programs, highlights evidence from the research linking physical activity, fitness, and academic performance, and more.
Presents a system of surveys assessing school health policies and practices in States, large urban school districts, and territories. Surveys are conducted biennially by education and health agencies among middle and high school principals and lead health education teachers. Profiles monitor the current state of physical and health education, health services, bullying and sexual harassment prevention, family and community engagement, and school policies related to tobacco-use prevention and nutrition.
Presents a website that allows visitors to request information on resources and funding opportunities designed to help coalitions educate their communities on ways to provide every child with healthy foods and drinks at home and in school, safe streets for biking and walking, and places to play after school.
