School Health Newsletter
March 2023
Partnerships - Education - Advocacy - Resources
Announcements
Wellness Policy Rodeo: A Collaborative Partnership to Develop Stronger Comprehensive Wellness Policies
 
Watch this one-hour recorded webinar hosted by the National Association for School Nurses and The American Lung Association to learn about the new features of the Healthier Generations Model Local School Wellness Policy. In addition, best practice strategies and resources to update your local school wellness policy will also be discussed. Click here to learn more. 
 Connecting Student Attendance and School Wellness Outcomes
Research shows that attendance is linked to the health of the whole child. A student’s physical, mental, and social-emotional well-being is affected by their attendance in school. Watch this 45-minute webinar to learn more about health promotion and chronic absenteeism. Click here to learn more. 
RHA of Tennessee Regional Events
Regional events are an opportunity to learn more about health issues affecting your community, such as substance use disorder, maternal health, and more. Lunch will be provided at this in-person event. West TN Event will be held at Union University on March 23rd. East TN Event will be held at East TN State University on April 6th. Click here to view the agenda for these events and register.
Resource Highlights
  45 Second Quiet Time/Meditation

Join Titan's Quarterback Ryan Tannehill as he shares why meditation and quiet time in his daily routine has helped him be successful. Click here to watch the full video. 
Nutrition Label

Using the food label can help you choose foods for a healthy diet. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025 share information and tips to make healthier choices:

  • Keep your intake of added sugars to less than 10% of your daily calories.
  • Read nutrition labels and keep track of sugars, fats, protein, and other nutrients. You can use apps such as My Fitness Pal to scan packages or input ingredients.
  • Drink water instead of sugary beverages.
  • Limit serving sizes of treats. 
Become a National Youth Sports Champion 


The National Youth Sports Strategy’s vision is that one day, all youth will have the opportunity, motivation, and access to play sports. To realize this vision, the NYSS needs the help of partners from across the youth sports landscape.
NYSS Champions are public and private sector organizations that are committed to supporting youth sports or aligning with the NYSS vision. Use this directory to learn more about the 200+ NYSS Champions. NYSS Champions receive recognition from ODPHP and the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition (PCSFN). They also get information, resources, and tools to help promote physical activity and the NYSS. 
Grant Opportunities
COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19 County Check Find community levels and prevention steps by county. Data updated weekly (CDC).

One Stop Online for COVID Prevention and Treatment in Every County. Visitors to the site can enter their county and map nearby locations for masks, respirators, vaccines, boosters, and all testing and treatment options.

Help Prevent the Spread of Respiratory Viruses
An important step that parents and caregivers can take is to get vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 to help keep kids—especially those under 6 months, who can’t yet receive flu or COVID-19 vaccines—safe.
 
In addition to staying up to date on their flu and COVID-19 vaccines and protecting high-risk infants, people can prevent the spread of respiratory viruses by taking the following everyday actions:
  • Avoid close contact (such as kissing, shaking hands, and sharing cups and eating utensils) with people who are sick
  • Stay home when sick
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve (not your hands)
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • Clean frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs and mobile devices
Vaccinating against flu and COVID-19 is a primary strategy for preventing illness and reducing severity of illness; this not only protects individuals from potentially serious respiratory disease, but also helps to prevent additional strain on the health care system.
 
Booster Calculator Use this tool to determine when or if you (or your child) can get one or more COVID-19 boosters. Bookmark other CDC tools below.

NRHA updates Rural Vaccine Confidence Initiative toolkit to help rural leaders communicate vaccine safety and efficacy in their own words at the local level, NRHA has added new and updated materials to our Rural Vaccine Confidence Initiative, including website landing page copy, frequently asked questions, and more. These free and easy-to-use communication tools are developed around three specific audiences: hospitals and senior leadership, business and community partners, and whole communities.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) public education campaign, We Can Do This, recently launched the Pediatricians and Family Physicians Toolkit to help physicians increase confidence in and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among their patients and in the communities they serve.

Mailing Address:
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This service was supported by funds made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support, under GR-21-73441.The contents of this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of or endorsement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.