In This Issue

• HSC News: HSC launches new, interactive blog
• Program Updates: Launch of new website, www.GreenCleanSchools.org
• News & Notes: American Academy of Pediatrics Issues Report on Play

HSC News

HSC Launches Blog

Looking for the latest news about school nutrition, green cleaning or healthy school environments? Visit the new Healthy Schools Campaign Blog for information about HSC activities and expert commentary on local and national issues and news stories related to HSC initiatives.

Stay informed by subscribing to the RSS feed or sign up to automatically receive blog entries via e-mail. Either way, you'll be the first to know when new entries are published.

The HSC blog is interactive, so leave a comment, ask a question or forward the entry to a friend. Visit today: http://www.healthyschoolscampaign.typepad.com

HSC Supports Farm and Food Policy Project
HSC has joined with more than 350 organizations in support of the Farm and Food Policy Project, a diverse group of family farms, rural, public health, anti-hunger, conservation, faith-based and other groups that have come together to inform the 2007 Farm Bill. FFPP hosted a press conference Monday, Jan. 22, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. to announce the release of "Seeking Balance," a report on U.S. farm and food policy (PDF).

The cross-sector approach of FFPP reflects a commitment to advocate for policies that address the full spectrum of public needs covered by this critical piece of legislation. This broad and growing alliance believes that by working together, it can make real progress toward supporting family farms and local communities, improving health and nutrition, ending hunger, and increasing biodiversity and improving the quality of our soil, water and air.

Program Updates

HSC Launches New Green Clean Schools Website

Interest in green cleaning is growing rapidly, as individuals and organizations discover the critical link between healthy school environments and learning.

In order to provide timely and helpful information to this growing legion of green cleaning advocates, HSC has launched a new website, GreenCleanSchools.org, that offers online access to portions of The Quick and Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools, plus the following changing features:

• News from the HSC's green cleaning initiative, Green Clean Schools
• Expert commentary on green cleaning news from the new HSC Blog
• "Ask Steve," a question-and-answer column by one of the nation's leading green cleaning experts
• Green updates, highlighting new market and regulatory developments associated with green cleaning
• Green cleaning success stories
• Upcoming events and educational opportunities

In addition, the website includes the "five simple steps" for starting a green cleaning program in your schools, along with information about participating organizations, sponsors and selected green products. Check out this new resource at www.greencleanschools.org.

Parents United for Healthy Schools Principals Breakfast
HSC's Parents United for Healthy Schools is hosting a breakfast on Friday, Feb. 23, for school principals interested in learning more about implementing CPS wellness policies and upcoming legislative initatives. Guests include Rep. Cynthia Soto, Chicago Principals Union and community based organizations. Contact Guillermo Gomez to learn more or to participate.

School Nurse Leadership Project
HSC is excited to begin two new School Nurse Leadership Program (SNLP) courses in Joliet and Springfield. With our School Nurse Advisory Committee, HSC has undertaken a two-year program to promote the leadership skills of Illinois school nurses on school wellness and environmental health. In year one, HSC is holding courses in Naperville, Joliet and Springfield on implementing school wellness programs. The Joliet program began Jan. 18, and the Springfield course begins Jan. 25.

In 2007-2008, HSC will continue the SNLP with three more programs on environmental health across Illinois. If you are a school nurse and are interested in receiving information when the next SNLP sessions are announced, contact Donna Fishman.

News & Notes

American Academy of Pediatrics Issues Report on Play
This report addresses a variety of factors that have reduced play, including a hurried lifestyle, changes in family structure, and increased attention to academics and enrichment activities at the expense of recess or free child-centered play. This report offers guidelines on how pediatricians can advocate for children by helping families, school systems, and communities consider how best to ensure that play is protected as they seek the balance in children’s lives to create the optimal developmental milieu. Full report (PDF)

Low-Income, Hispanic Toddlers More Likely To Be Overweight, Obese Than Whites, Blacks, Study Finds
Hispanic toddlers from low-income families are at the most risk of being overweight or obese, with 44 percent either overweight or obese, compared with 32 percent of white and black children from similar households, according to a study on the health of urban toddlers published in the online edition of the American Journal of Public Health. Study abstract | Media round-up (Kaiser Network)

As Obesity Fight Hits Cafeteria, Many Fear a Note From School
The New York Times
The practice of reporting students' body mass scores to parents originated a few years ago as just one tactic in a war on childhood obesity that would be fought with fresh, low-fat cafeteria offerings and expanded physical education. Now, inspired by impressive results in a few well-financed programs, states including Delaware, South Carolina and Tennessee have jumped on the B.M.I. bandwagon, turning the reports — in casual parlance, obesity report cards — into a new rite of childhood. Read more

Childhood Obesity and Youth Sports Both on Rise - How?
South Florida Sun Sentinel
Childhood obesity has doubled in the past two decades; meanwhile, youth sports participation is higher than ever. How can that be? Read more

"It would be the height of irony if we successfully identified overweight kids through B.M.I. screening and notification while continuing to feed them atrocious quality meals and snacks, with limited if any opportunities for phys ed in school."
- Dr. David Ludwig, director of the Optimal Weight for Life program at Children's Hospital Boston, quoted in The New York Times, Jan. 8, 2007

Calendar of Events

Jan. 25 | Chicago
HSC: CPS Wellness Policy Implementation Plans Forum | More

Feb. 23 | Chicago
HSC: Parents United for Healthy Schools Principals Breakfast

Interview on WPR
12.28.06 | Jean Saunders, director of school wellness, discussed the state of school nutrion and answered many questions from callers. Listen to the program online now (one hour). WPR members can download the program for future listening.

For older stories, visit HSC's online media archive.

Resources

Save the Date: Farm To Cafeteria And Food Policy Conference
"From Cafeterias to Capitol Hill: Growing Healthy Kids, Farms and Communities," March 16-19, 2007
Baltimore, Md. More conference information will soon be available at Community Food Security Coalition.

Free Technical Assistance for Schools
USEPA Region 5 is currently offering FREE technical assistance for schools to help you start or advance your indoor air quality program and to help you achieve your goals for a healthier, more productive school.

The non-regulatory technical walkthrough will use the Tools for Schools checklist and will identify ways to improve IAQ in your schools. Walkthroughs will be conducted through February 2007.

To schedule a walk-through, email Jeanette Marrero or call (312) 886-6543 | More information

Help Bring Safe Routes to School to Your Community
The new Illinois' Safe Routes to School is a federally-funded initiative that will provide approximately $23 million in funding over the next several years to Illinois schools and communities. Funds can be used for projects and programs that encourage and enable students to safely walk and bike to school. Funding is 100 percent, requiring no local match.

To help you prepare for this opportunity, training sessions are being offered throughout the state in February 2007. Attending a training will prepare you to develop a comprehensive school travel plan and apply for funding. Register for training | More information