Parents Raise Unified Voice for Recess
Summit Brings Together Wellness Leaders to Celebrate Successes, Develop Strategies
Children enjoy a physical activity break at the Parents United for Healthy Schools annual parent summit
HSC’s Parents United for Healthy Schools/Padres Unidos para Escuelas Saludables coalition brought together more than 100 parents from Chicago’s Latino and African-American communities on May 20 for a Parent Summit on the development of wellness teams in Chicago schools.
The summit featured speakers highlighting wellness resources and programs – such as universal breakfast – available to schools. Parent leaders also spoke about their successes and shared strategies for effectively organizing a school-based wellness team and using it to bring opportunities for healthy eating and physical activity to school.
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Mirca Ramos leads parents in a
physical activity break
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The summit also served as an important opportunity for focused discussion of a parent-led campaign to bring recess to Chicago schools. Parents followed up on a recent advocacy day in Springfield, Ill. and on successful efforts to gather more than 3,000 postcards in support of legislation requiring recess in schools.
“We are on a mission to bring back recess to schools this year,” said Guillermo Gomez, HSC’s Chicago Director. “As rates of childhood obesity skyrocket and children must devote more time to focused academic work, recess is more important than ever.”
We’ll keep you updated as the parent campaign for recess and school wellness moves ahead.
HSC Launches National Innovation Showcase
In partnership with American School & University and the Association of School Business Officials International
HSC is launching a nationwide search for new and innovative products and services that help create healthier school environments. The search focuses on two areas: the environmental impact of a school, and the way that a school supports healthy eating and physical activity for students.
The Innovation Showcase is presented in collaboration with American School & University and the Association of School Business Officials International.
Companies from all corners of the marketplace are invited to share their unique innovations that focus on school wellness or the environment.
The goal of the Innovation Showcase is to provide HSC’s extensive network of school stakeholders, parents and community members with up-to-date information on unique technologies, strategies, equipment and supplies that help create healthier school - with a focus on wellness or the environment. |
