SPARK researchers and educators have spent the past 3 years developing and testing innovative approaches to Coordinated School Health.

SPARK wants to support YOUR Coordinated School Health effort! Here are a few strategies to help you improve your School Health Index scores:

1. Ignite Your Approach to Coordinated School Health (available for Elementary Districts and Individual Schools).

   A 1-day (up to 6 hours), on-site training program that focuses on the 3 P’s:

   • Paradigm (to shift towards a wellness environment)
   • Policies (to support your CSH effort)
   • Programs (to provide needed resources, consultation, and tools)

   This program will ignite a "Healthy School Environment" through 5 core messages:

   • S elect fruits & vegetables
   • P lay actively
   • A void excess sugar & fat
   • R educe TV/media time
   • K eep H20 the way to go

   A CSH assessment will be conducted prior to the training and results from the School Health Index will be used to help develop an action plan for schools to implement strategies to improve their SHI scores.

2. Nutrition Services (available for Elementary District and Individuals)

   

   SPARK has selected Organ Wise Guys as our recommended Nutrition Education program partner www.organwiseguys.com and will be providing content and training along with a Nutrition Environment component.

3. Health Education (available for Elementary District and Individuals)

   

   SPARK has selected Healthy Lifestyle Choices (HLC) as our recommended Health Education content program. Visit www.hlconline.org for more information.

4. Health Promotion for Staff

   

   A 1-day (6 hr) interactive on-site training for all school staff/representatives that will help motivate staff to be role models for their students. Topics include nutrition, physical activity, and stress management/relaxation.

5. Physical Education

   

   SPARK PE Program's K-2, 3-6, 6-8 and High School provide research-based curriculum, on-site teacher training, and content matched equipment. Check out our website for more information on SPARK PE Programs www.sparkpe.org.

All other components of Coordinated School Health will be provided as resources and tools on a new SPARK website scheduled to launch January 2009. And, a new scope and sequence yearly calendar interacting activities from all SPARK CSH Programs is coming soon!

For more information regarding the SPARK Coordinated School Health Initiative, contact Kate Rittenhouse 1-800-SPARK PE ext. 240 krittenhouse@sparkpe.org.