Parents Take Action for Healthy Schools, Workshop Announced
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Pete Shankle, DPS Wellness Coordinator, 560-3725
DURHAM – Durham Public Schools’ parents can make a big difference in their child’s school when it comes to health. That is the message of the “Parents Take Action for Healthy Schools!” session to be held on March 15.
DPS and North Carolina Action for Healthy Kids are co-sponsoring the two-hour workshop, which will include information on school wellness policies and what parents should know about them, as well as specific ways parents can be involved in helping their child’s school be healthier. Participants will also learn how to work with school leaders and be seen as a partner at the decision-making table.
The workshop will be held at the DPS Staff Development Center, 2107 Hillandale Road, on Monday, March 15 from 6:30-8:30 pm. Dinner will be provided beforehand from 6:00-6:30pm.
“Creating healthier schools requires the engagement and commitment of numerous stakeholders,” said Laura Aiken, co-chair of the N.C. Action for Healthy Kids’ state team. “We are excited about empowering parents to be change agents and partners in support of healthier schools for their children.”
DPS has taken numerous steps to strengthen its wellness policy this school year. Each school has a wellness and health committee that must submit a school wellness plan, and several wellness days have been scheduled for employees and students. In addition, DPS has a School Health Advisory Council.
Heidi Carter, Vice-Chair for the DPS Board of Education, is the regional representative for NC Action for Healthy Kids.
Individual schools are also getting involved by improving their health and wellness. Eighteen DPS schools belong to the Alliance for a Healthy Generation, and six schools are participating in Be Active North Carolina. All traditional high schools have fitness rooms for both students and faculty.
To register for the workshop, please visit: http://take.actionforhealthykids.org/site/Survey?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=1700
About North Carolina Action for Healthy Kids:
North Carolina AFHK is one of 51 Action for Healthy Kids state teams. The mission of North Carolina Action for Healthy Kids is to improve children's nutrition and physical activity in schools by collaborating with diverse stakeholders in advocating, promoting and implementing national and state initiatives.
Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) is a nationwide initiative dedicated to improving the health and educational performance of children through better nutrition and physical activity in schools. This effort represents a response to our nation's epidemic of overweight, sedentary, and undernourished children and adolescents. Healthy schools produce healthy students - and healthy students are better able to learn and achieve their true potential.
If you’d like more information about this topic, contact Marjorie Wilson, NC Action for Healthy Kids’ Project Coordinator, 919-805-0227 or email Marjorie@NCactionforhealthykids.org
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