FOCUS Monthly Newsletter

February 2024

Every 40 seconds someone has a heart attack or stroke, and heart disease is the leading cause of death in our country. Prevention begins at a young age, and we encourage you and your students to kick off American Heart Month by participating in National Wear Red Day on Friday, February 2. Throughout the month, Peer Helpers and FOCUS class and club members can be the leaders in prevention at your school and in your community. Together you can learn how the heart works, become aware of risk factors, and learn emergency protocol.

Get your school involved by implementing activities throughout the day such as quick “brain breaks” to relieve stress, heart facts of the day, and warm-ups to encourage movement. Caylie Gaccione, an educator and Curriculum Specialist in New York, has wonderful ideas and links in her article, Top Strategies to Celebrate Heart Health Month. In addition, we encourage you to use resources below: 

• Morning Announcements: Morning Announcements- Heart Health
• Lesson Plans and Worksheets: American Heart Challenge Lessons
• Classroom Activities to Get Everyone Moving: American Heart Association’s American Heart Challenge
• The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute: Heart Facts and 25 Ways to Take Part in Heart Month.
• American Heart Association’s Hands Only Training CPR 
• American Heart Association’s CPR Training Video
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Heart Disease Facts and Maps CDC

Be sure to tag us in your social media posts throughout the month. We look forward to seeing your students moving, learning and advocating for heart health.

2024 Difference Maker

NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN for the 2024 "Difference Maker of the Year!" The Facilitator chosen as the "Difference Maker" will receive $1,000 cash to be used however they choose. The "Difference Maker" will be chosen based on their school's activities, their level of involvement with FOCUS, and the creation of successful prevention activities and events. All nominations must be received by 5:00pm on March 29, 2024.

Click the button below for more information or to nominate a Difference Maker!

REMEMBER to tap in to the many resources available on the Facilitator Portal at www.thefocusprogram.com. Digital FOCUS Brochure; Implementation Guide; Videos; Posters; Character Education Resource; PowerPoint for FOCUS Extracurricular Implementation; HIV Teacher Training; HIV 101; FOCUS Group Training; Certificates of

Leadership and Participating; and numerous other resources!

SHOUT OUT to ALL FOCUS Facilitators! Register your school, raise money, and join us for the END Addiction BHAM Walk! See you there!

More information may be found at www.apcbham.org.

Connect with FOCUS!

Monthly Health Observances

We encourage all FOCUS schools to engage in at least one health observance activity each month. Each month has some excellent choices for students on your campuses to “Make a Difference” and to encourage their peers to participate.

February

• 1-28  American Heart Month
• 1-28  Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

March

• 1-31   National Red Cross Month/Blood Drive
• 21-27 National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (National Institute on Drug Abuse)

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

FOCUS values continued partnerships with the following state and community organizations.

Alabama Department of Public Health

Alabama Department of Education

Addiction Prevention Coalition

Children's Policy Council

Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS)

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama

Be Part of Making A Difference!