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Information for GMS Archive
September - October
Information for GMS Archive
Parents Archive
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| Information for GMS Archive |
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Healthy Halloween Treats, Non-Food Incentives
It’s time for the goblins, witches, and other scary creatures to make their way out of hiding. And nothing is scarier than planning a party for all of them. As you prepare your classroom party keep Gold Medal Schools in mind. Here are some ways to have a healthy Halloween party |
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- Instead of passing out candy try pencils, erasers, spider rings, or vampire teeth
- When planning your party ask parents to bring healthy food options such as apple slices or carrot sticks
- Have lots of fun games that get kids up and moving
- Encourage students to trick-or-treat in well lit areas and avoid homes of people they do not know
- Don’t display posters with unhealthy foods on them
For more ideas check out this helpful party planner! |
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After School Program Ideas
Does your school have an after school program? Are you a parent looking for new ideas on how to keep your kids busy after school? If so the California After School Resources Center (CASRC) is a great place to go for new ideas. You can search for materials on Nutrition, Physical Activity, Academics and so much more. You can find ideas for children and adolescents, grades K-12. The information can also be used in the classroom. Go to the California After School Resource Center Web site for more information. |
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Safe Routes to School Mini-Grants
The National Center for Safe Routes to School is offering Mini-Grants to schools. These grants are up to $1,000 each to help increase safe walking and biking to school. Successful applicants will include one or more of the following: |
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- Student-led activities
- Concern for the environment
- Promotion of physical activity
Funded activities must be part of a new or existing Safe Routes to School program. The application deadline is October 30, 2009. To get more information and apply for this grant go to the National Center for Safe Routes to School Web Site. |
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SNAP, Walk 'n Roll Assemblies
The Utah Department of Transportation’s Student Neighborhood Access Program™ (SNAP) and Safe Routes to School invite you to get students excited to walk and bike to school with a new, free 35 minute assembly, “SNAP, Walk ‘n Roll”. Through original upbeat music and lorger-than-life characters, the SNAP team teaches students the importance of a safe routes map, traffic signs and signals, the necessary gear, and helps them get excited about walking and biking to school.
Assemblies will be offered Thursdays and Fridays throughout the 2009-2010 school year on a first-come, first-serve basis. Priority will be given to schools with a SNAP plan and who are Gold Medal Schools. To book your schools assembly contact Becky Wickstrom or Bethany Hyatt at snap@snapforschools.com or 801-481-9482. |
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Red Ribbon Week
Did you know that one in three cigarette smokers begin before the age of 13? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that each day 1,100 young people (13-17) become daily cigarette smokers. The CDC also recognizes that when parents are involved and talk to their children about tobacco the child is less likely to become a smoker and motivate adults to consider smoking cessation.
Red Ribbon week was established in 1985 to celebrate the life of Agent “Kiki” Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Administration Agent. He was tortured and killed for the work he was doing to keep America drug-free. Agent Camarena believed that one person could make a difference. Help celebrate Red Ribbon Week at your school during the week of October 17-25. |
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Walk To School Day
October is Walk to School Month and October 7 is Walk to School Day. Walk to School Day gives students, parents, teachers, staff, and community leaders an opportunity to be part of a global event and celebrate the benefits of walking. The U.S. Surgeon General recommends that children get at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day. Walking is an easy and free way to be active.
Walking to school is a missed opportunity. Roughly 10% of children nationwide walk to school regularly. Even among those kids living within a mile of their school, only 25% are regular walkers. Encourage your students to participate in Walk to School Month and help them build habits that will positively affect their health and lifestyle.
Register your school to join kids and families around the globe on the Walk to School Web site. |
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New Teacher, Faculty, and Staff Motivation
The school year has started and students, teachers, faculty, and staff are settling into their daily routine. Now is the time to meet with your teachers, faculty, and staff to introduce, or remind, them to the Gold Medal Schools™ (GMS) program. It is vital to the success of GMS that the entire school be involved in the Program. Invite food service personnel, administrations, PTA/PTO, the School Community Council, or other community members to a staff meeting where you will discuss the Program.
Here are some ideas of things you can discuss: |
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- Introduce your Mentor and School Coordinator
- Talk about the Criteria your school will be working on
- Introduce the Gold Medal Mile™ and identify a walking goal
- Tell teachers about the Kick-off Assembly
- Brainstorm with the faculty to see if there is anything else they want to do
- Give new teachers page 369 of the Guide so they know what the Program is, why their school is participating, and what their role is
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NAMI Mental Health Awareness Week
One in five children and adolescents may have a mental health disorder that can be identified and require treatment. Mental health disorders in children and adolescents are caused by biology, environment, or a combination of both. These disorders can affect how children think, feel, and act as they face life’s situations.
In 1990, the U.S. congress established the first week of October as “Mental Illness Awareness Week” in recognition of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) efforts to raise awareness. Since then the efforts have grown to include the community in raising awareness. This year Mental Health Awareness Week is October 4-10. Work with your community to teach your students about mental health. |
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Love Your Veggies Grant
Hidden Valley® and their partner program, the School Nutrition Foundation, are offering schools the opportunity to apply for up to $10,000 to increase the access and consumption of fruits and veggies at school. The money can be spent on fresh produce, a salad bar, kitchen equipment, food service personnel, and food service training.
Grant applications are due on November 2, 2009 at 5:00 PM eastern time. Awards will be granted to schools that demonstrate need, innovation, sustainable impact, and potential for community involvement. To apply for the grant go to the Love Your Veggies Web site. |
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S*T*A*R*T
Smart Treats are Responsible Treats (S.T.A.R.T.) is a non-profit organization in Utah that provides alternatives to candy as a Halloween treat. This organization is focused on helping curb the childhood obesity epidemic nationwide. Your school can raise funds by selling bags that are filled with S.T.A.R.T. cards (music downloads or retail cards) to hand out to trick-or-treaters instead of candy. For more information on this program visit the S.T.A.R.T. Web site. |
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| Parents Archive |
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Gold Medal Mile™
Walking can strengthen the relationships you have with your family. You’ll build your physical and mental health as well as family bonds. You should look for ways to make walking part of your family’s routine. Studies show that children who lead healthy lifestyles are likely to remain active as adults and pass on healthy lifestyle habits to their own children. Children who exercise sleep better at night and can handle challenges more easily.
Your child’s school has a Gold Medal Mile™ (GMM) measured for your family to use. The mile may be an actual mile or a portion of a mile (i.e. ¼ mile or ½ mile). You can use your schools GMM to be physically active with your children. Talk with your schools principal to find out where your GMM is. There are many benefits to regular physical activity. Here a few:
- Helps build and maintain healthy bones and muscles
- Helps control weight, build lean muscle, and reduce fat
- Reduces feelings of sadness, stress, and anxiety
- Promotes positive mental health, including higher levels of self-esteem
- Increases flexibility and aerobic endurance
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Green Ribbon Month
The Green Ribbon Month program focuses on the prevention of injuries from pedestrian/motor vehicle crashes. Schools are encouraged to select a week during Green Ribbon Month to promote awareness of child pedestrian safety, and to educate children, parents, and the community. The goal of Green Ribbon Month is to prevent children from being hit by motor vehicles in school zones and cross walks.
On average in Utah, 40 pedestrians are killed and 1,070 are hit in pedestrian/automobile crashes each year. 1/3 of pedestrians hit and 1/3 of the pedestrians killed are children under the age 15. Children are at risk because of their small size and they do not have the skills to handle traffic safely until at least 10 years of age. To reduce such tragic crashes children need to have safe routes to & from school and understand key traffic safety rules. Motorists must obey traffic laws and watch out for children. Parents, community leaders, and politicians must understand the dangers children face while walking.
The program involves the entire community. Drivers pledge to drive slowly in school zones and residential areas. Students pledge to walk on sidewalks, look both ways before crossing the street, and to cross at crosswalks. Parents pledge to educate their children about pedestrian safety.
Talk with your school children to walk on sidewalks, look both ways before crossing the street, cross at crosswalks, and to walk with a buddy. Review your schools Safe Routes to School map and identify the safest walking route for your school.
For more information and resources to help your school plan Green Ribbon Month visit the Utah Violence and Injury Prevention Program Web site. |
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Fruits & Veggies—More Matters® Month
More than 90 percent of both adults and children do not eat the amount of fruits and vegetables recommended by the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans. But eating more is easy, especially since all forms … fresh, frozen, canned, dried and 100% juice … count toward your daily intake. Just pick a variety of fruits and vegetables every day, for a deliciously healthy diet that can help control weight and reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases.
Fruits & Veggies—More Matters offers two Web sites to help with new Strawberry Shortcake imagery. Fruits & Veggies—More Matters kids’ site, www.foodchamps.org is designed for children ages two through eight, while www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org is more “mom-centric,” featuring tips for getting kids to eat more fruits and vegetables along with nutrition information, recipes, and a Video Center.
Here are some tips that can help your family save money when buying fruits and vegetables.
Save Money with Luscious Leftovers
Get More Value with Fruits and Vegetables
Top 10 Ways to Stretch Your Budget with Fruits & Veggies
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