Implementing the School Health Index in Your School

1. Implementing the School Health Index in Your School Sandy Sherman The Food Trust Philadelphia, PA Comprehensive School Nutrition Policy Initiative

2. Increase the availability of fresh foods, • Develop a stable food supply in underserved communities, and • Improve the connection between urban and agricultural communities. The Food Trust was established in 1992 to:

3. Comprehensive School Nutrition Policy Mission: To improve the health and well-being of youngsters who are at risk for poor nutritional status (including overweight) by improving their diets through the adoption of a comprehensive school nutrition policy. Funded by the Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program – PA Nutrition Education Plan

4. Students will improve their growth and weight gain profiles. • Schools will successfully implement the school nutrition policy by: • Completing the School Health Index • Establishing school health councils, • Initiating social marketing, • Insuring that all foods meet the guidelines, • Integrating 50 hours of nutrition education, • Conducting 10 hours of teacher nutrition training, and • Involving family members and the community.

5. School Health Index • Helps schools identify their strengths and weaknesses • Brings a school team together to develop an action plan • Provides a structure for implementing the plan

6. School Team • The School Health Index will provide structure and direction to your school’s efforts to improve health and safety policies and programs.

7. Health Behaviors The School Health Index addresses behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death, disability, and illness among young people and adults in the United States: • Physical inactivity. • Poor eating habits. • Tobacco use. • A wide range of safety-related behaviors.

8. Schools vs. Districts The Index is designed for use at the local level. With appropriate adaptation, it could be used at the district level as well, especially if the district has only a few schools and those schools have similar policies and programs.

9. School Health Index format 􀂾 Two separate tools Elementary Middle/High Schools Each tool divided into 8 modules, Planning for Improvement section School Health Improvement Plan Resources section

10. The Food Trust Four Year SHI History 2001 – 2002 – 4 schools 2002 – 2003 – 14 schools 2003 – 2004 – 20 schools 2004 – 2005 – 45 schools

11. Sample agenda for School Health Index team meeting #1 • 􀂾 Introductions • 􀂾 Purpose of the School Health Index • 􀂾 Why health is important for schools • 􀂾 Coordinated School Health Program model • 􀂾 School Health Index format

12. Sample agenda for School Health Index team meeting #1 continued • 􀂾 Implementation process • 􀂾 Things to keep in mind when completing the modules • 􀂾 Module Score Card, Discussion Questions, and Planning Questions • 􀂾 Overall Score Card and School Health Improvement Plan • 􀂾 Completing all 8 modules • 􀂾 Setting timelines

13. Sample agenda for School Health Team Meeting #2􀂾 • Review and discuss SHI findings • Strength and weaknesses • Module scores • Top priority actions • Resources needed

14. Sample agenda for School Health Team Meeting #2 continued • Decide on action steps • Assign responsibilities • Set timelines for action • Discuss how to present plan to larger school community • Discuss how to monitor progress • Set future meeting

15. Remember to: • Communicate your progress to the larger school community • Track changes over the year • Celebrate success!