In This Issue |
• HSC News: Economic Stimulus; Marathon Team
• Program Updates: Parent Spotlight
• Recent Blog Entries: Valentine Recipes; School Building Conditions; USDA Survey and more
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HSC News |
What Impact Will the Stimulus Bill Have on School Health?
The economic stimulus bill signed by President Obama on Tues. presents opportunities for schools to access resources for building repair, green renovations and kitchen upgrades that can support healthy food preparation.
While details on the healthy schools impact of the bill, also known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 [pdf], are still emerging, it seems that the early information discussed in HSC’s blog was accurate – there was additional money added to the state fiscal stabilization fund which, while not directly marked for school renovation and modernization, may be used for that purpose. However, decisions about how this money is distributed at the state level will be made on a state-by-state basis, highlighting the importance of advocacy to help state leaders understand the need for funding to support school repair and modernization.
In addition to approximately $53 billion earmarked for education, the Act authorizes tax credits for a total of $22 billion of school construction bonds. The bill includes several additional items of note for school health advocates:
- $100 million for school food service grants for “equipment assistance”
- $3.2 billion for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant
- $3.1 billion for state energy programs for renewable energy
- $1.6 billion for Clean Renewable Energy Bonds
- $3.2 billion for qualified energy conservation bonds
This is by no means a complete list.
Much of this funding is for energy-efficiency and green infrastructure development, something that schools may take advantage of even though the funding is not specifically earmarked for educational buildings.
The stimulus bill will provide a quick influx of money into all states, and schools now have an opportunity to access resources not only to cover their budgets, but to invest in the next generation of energy efficient, healthy schools. In the case of school food service grants, each state will have a very short window of time to define “equipment assistance” and provide guidance for school food programs.
HSC will be closely monitoring the progress of state-level decisions on how stimulus spending will affect school health. Please check the HSC blog for updates on this issue.
Plus: For more detail and page citations of the stimulus bill, please see HSC deputy director Mark Bishop’s recent blog.
HSC’s Marathon Team Launches Flexible New Program, Welcomes New Runners
Tiered system’s fundraising minimum is only $250
The HSC marathon team is welcoming new members and launching a flexible new program that allows runners to be part of the team without the pressure of large fundraising requirements. The tiered-giving program means that benefits increase as fundraising increases.
“It’s important to us that you enjoy raising money for HSC as much as you enjoy training for the marathon,” said HSC development associate Alicea Miller. “So we would like to help you set realistic goals and give you fun and helpful benefits for reaching them!”
Team members are preparing to run the 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon and other races around the U.S.
HSC is able to offer this flexible program because team members will register for the marathon (or other race) on their own.
To learn more, be sure to visit HSC’s marathon website or contact Alicea Miller at 312-419-1810.
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| Program & Advocacy Updates |
Parent Advocates Create School Wellness Teams
Parents involved with HCS’s Parents United for Healthy Schools/Padres Unidos para Escuelas Saludables coalition are forming school wellness teams and working with principals to implement the district wellness policy.
Parents are creating change that ranges from additional physical activity in the classroom to healthier snacks at parties.
Who are the parent advocates? In upcoming newsletters, we'll introduce you to the remarkable parent leaders who are creating change for healthy schools:
Catalina meets with parent advocates at a Healthy Schools Campaign breakfast briefing
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Catalina wanted to learn how to help her son lose weight. Just as important as the nutrition information she found from Parents United, however, was the experience of joining together with other parents to raise her voice for change.
“Working in a group gives you a strong voice,” she said. “You’re no longer just an individual talking to individuals. You come together, and that’s how you’re able to create change.”
As a founding member of the wellness team at McCormick School, she has spoken up for health-promoting initiatives.
“Now I speak with more authority,” she said. “I can speak with certainty and explain to people at schools why we need these changes.”
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| Read Catalina's story » |
To learn more about HSC's parent advocacy, click here.
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Recent Blog Entries |
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:
What Henry Eats: (Healthy) Ice Cream| by Mark Bishop
This blog is the first in our new Friday-morning series on the fun, healthy snacks that kids love. My wife and I love feeding our son Henry a healthy kid-version of ice cream: frozen fruit blended with unsweetened yogurt and cinnamon. And as much as we love feeding it to him, Henry loves eating it. The basic idea is this: when you have over-ripe fruit, cut it up and toss it in the freezer rather than let it rot. Then when you want a treat, blend the frozen fruit with some yogurt to make a thick, creamy frozen snack. . . . Read more
Happy, Healthy Valentine’s Day -- With a Little Chocolate! | by Jean Saunders
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and, around the country, classroom celebrations are underway. Teachers and parents are wrestling with the question of how to create a fun celebration that reflects the traditions of Valentine’s Day but also sends the right message to students about making healthy choices. . . . Read more
What Henry Cooks: Healthy Valentine Muffins | by Mark Bishop
It’s always a special treat when my two-year-old son Henry and I get to cook together. Last week we made a special (healthy-ish) Valentines’ treat for my wife. The healthy muffin recipe we used is here, but the star of this muffin was the slightly pink frosting. The pink frosting that we made, free of artificial dyes, included. . . . Read more
Chicago Public Schools In the Spotlight for Environmental Action Plan| by Lindsay Muscato
The Chicago Public Schools system (CPS) has recently been highlighted by the American School Board Journal for its environmentally friendly action plan that sets a green example for the rest of the nation. Under the leadership of environmental program manager Suzanne Carlson, CPS has begun a 26-part plan that aims to reduce waste, conserve energy, and lead the way in implementing Illinois' requirements for green cleaning. . . . Read more
School Buildings Suffering Without Proper Funds| by Mark Bishop
The American Society of Civil Engineers just released their periodic report on the nation’s infrastructure and it’s not a pretty picture. They scored our overall infrastructure a “D," and schools were right in line, getting a “D” too – no change from their 2005 report. This is consistent with what we, at HSC, are hearing and seeing. . . . Read more
EPA to Explore Possibility of Third-Party Certification for Disinfectants| by Rochelle Davis
I am not one to get overly excited about technical and bureaucratic developments, but I was pleased to see that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that they will conduct an “internal pilot” to explore a policy change that would allow claims of environmental preferability in regard to disinfectants and sanitizers. There has been much confusion in the marketplace in recent years over the proper way to articulate the environmental attributes of disinfectants . . . Read more
Missouri Releases Green Clean Guidelines for Schools| by Mark Bishop
We were excited to learn that in January, the state of Missouri joined states around the nation in encouraging green cleaning in schools by releasing specific green cleaning guidelines for schools. HSC is proud to have played a key role in creating the Missouri legislation that called for the state to create guidelines. As I review the Missouri guidelines, I see that Missouri leaders based their work closely on the efforts that HSC and our allies made to develop guidelines for the state of Illinois . . . Read more
USDA Assessment Highlights Need for School Food Reform
| by Rochelle Davis
Last month, the USDA released the results of their most recent comprehensive assessment of school food programs. These findings demonstrate how great the need for reform is in our school food system. . . . Read more |
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We Heard It ... |
“The impact of having a school nurse is much broader than dispensing medication and putting bandages on cuts or scrapes. A school nurse has a very complex and critical role in the health and well-being of our students and staff,”
- Sheldon Berman, superintendent of Jefferson County Public Schools in Kentucky, as quoted in the Courier-Journal |
Events |
Safer Pest Management for Illinois Schools | Feb. 25, April 14, April 23, and May 12 | More
The 2009 Sustainable Schools Symposium
| Feb. 27 | More
School Wellness Policies: Striving for Excellence Conferences | March 17, 18 and 19 | More [pdf]
School Nurse Advocacy Day | April 16 | More |
Office for Sublease |
| Looking for office space in downtown Chicago? HSC has a 9.5 by 16.5 office (suitable for 1 to 3 people) available for sublease. $500 per month includes Internet and access to copier, scanner, fax, kitchen and conference room. Contact Susan for more details. |
Tweet, tweet! |
You can follow HSC on Twitter to stay up-to-date on the latest news and conversations about school environmental health and wellness. Click here to check out our Twitter updates!
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Support Healthy Schools |
Make a donation
You have the power to help make healthy schools a reality through a gift to HSC or a donation in honor of a friend, family member or a child in your life! | More |
Grants & Resources |
Free Foodplay Program
Opportunity for schools in Illinois to receive a free program during April from Foodplay, a national award-winning theater show with motivating health messages, in a spirit of fun and celebration! If interested, contact Patti Dougherty at patti@foodplay.com or 1-800-FOODPLAY
Governor's Green Youth Award
Deadline: Mar. 20, 2009
For outstanding and innovative efforts of youth in Illinois who are working on environmental and conservation friendly
projects | More
National Preservation Awards
Deadline: Mar. 2, 2009
For historic preservation in school renovation or additions | More
Design a School Breakfast Superhero Contest
Deadline: Mar. 20, 2009
Challenging kids to draw and name their own school breakfast superhero and explain how their super powers will help kids ‘Power Up’ with school breakfast | More
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