HSC's staff experts discuss news stories and new developments every week at the HSC Blog. Stop by and leave a question or comment. And while you're there, enter your email address for automatic delivery on days when a new blog entry has been posted. Here's a look at some of our recent posts:
Food Service Workers Lend their Support for a Strong Child Nutrition Act | by Rochelle Davis
Last month, food service workers lent their support for a strong Child Nutrition Act when they visited Capitol Hill to speak up for school food. Their priorities, which closely mirror those of Healthy Schools Campaign, include . . . Read more
Competing to Design Classrooms for the Future | by Mark Bishop
Here in the US, school buildings play a critical role in the lives of children, teachers and communities. So while we work to support the construction and maintenance of schools in the US, we're excited to see the Open Architecture Network create a contest to spur the classroom of the future with no limits on geographical boundaries. My favorite is the Adaptable Hillside Classroom, a design for a classroom in the Ugandan hillsides. . . Read more
Fit Kids Scoring on Academics| by Mark Bishop
In a study that alters my perception of my childhood, researchers say it seems that physically fit students students post higher academic scores than less-fit peers. Put another way, it's no longer the geek who shall inherit the earth . . . Read more
Dancing in the (Open) Streets| by Mark Bishop
Last weekend, community organizations opened up 8 miles of Chicago's beautiful boulevard system for bikers, runners, walkers, unicyclers and a few other 'ers' that I don't quite have the vocabulary for. And it was great. . . . Read more
Obama, the PCRM, and That Controversial School Lunch Poster | by Mark Bishop
It's a story that's been covered many many many many times already, but we'd be remiss if we didn't mention it. Real questions arise when you unpack the high-profile ads featuring the Obama daughters, put up by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) -- questions about disparities in food access and quality, school funding, the nutritional qualities of school meals -- but these issues haven't gotten a lot of attention in the resulting media storm. . . . . Read more
The Tomatoes are Coming! The Tomatoes are Coming!| by Mark Bishop
We interrupt our regularly scheduled Friday recipe post to bring you some of the happiest fresh-from-the-garden joy that comes around this time of year. Enjoy! . . . . Read more
In Fighting Obesity, Is Exercise Really the Answer?| by Mark Bishop
In the world of school wellness and obesity policy, there are two main
groups: groups that focus on greater access to physical activity, and
those that focus on improving the healthfulness of food. Neither are
wrong, but neither represents the whole picture. And a recent study just confirmed this . . . Read more
After Fatty Foods, Bodies & Brains Are Out to Lunch| by Mark Bishop
We've seen for years that exercise can lead to better memory and academic performance, but new research now shows similar (but opposite) effects for eating fatty foods. New research shows that eating fatty foods can have a negative impact on short-term memory and exercise performance. . . . Read more
National Attention for Green School Buildings | by Rochelle Davis
After speaking with students at a local green school, it became even more clear what a positive impact a green school can have on student performance and the environment. Unfortunately, most children do not have an opportunity to learn in such a healthy environment. That is why I was so pleased to see both the U.S. House and Senate take action to provide school districts with funds to support green, energy efficient schools, focusing on schools that serve under-resourced communities. . . . Read more
Will School Nurse Shortage Hurt H1N1 Fight? | by Tara Kennon
HSC board member Martha Bergren, director of research for the National
Assoc. of School Nurses, spoke on the Fox & Friends show today about the role of school nurses in battling outbreaks of disease such as H1N1 in a school setting. . . . Read more
Where Schools Go, Others Follow| by Mark Bishop
In a notable win for the environment, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn recently signed a series of legislation to help green the state. I'm proud of two bills in particular because I like to think HSC played a role in getting them passed. You see, in 2007, with our partners, HSC introduced and championed two bills that became law. One bill required green building practices and the other required green cleaning, both for all Illinois schools. So I'd say we helped pave the way for these new laws. I mean, if we can get schools to do it in 2007, shouldn't our state government do it as well today? After taking that minute to pat ourselves on the back, I have to say this: the real message here is that schools are an important microcosm of our society. . . . . Read more
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President Obama Speaks Up for Healthy School Food, Farm to School Programs| by Rochelle Davis
President Obama spoke at an Organizing For America National Health Care Forum on Friday and made the following comments about school food and the upcoming debate on the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act. I was thrilled to see the president highlight the value of healthy school food and farm-to-school programs in the context of our national health care strategy. . . . Read more
Healthy School Food Makes the News! | by Lehia Franklin Acox
Public
interest in healthy school food is growing, from President Obama’s recent remarks about the Child Nutrition Act to news coverage of local and national efforts to encourage action as the country heads back to school. Here’s a recap. . . Read more
My First Full Garden Meal of the Summer | by Mark Bishop
It was a beautiful evening and we picnicked in the backyard -- but most
importantly, this evening we had our first meal this summer mostly from
our garden. Henry picked the tomatoes and herbs, mixed sauce and chowed the cucumbers. . . . Read more
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