Brenda Daniels, RN, feels like “she hasn’t opened the Christmas present yet” as far as using all the HKC information sent, but her teachers will be getting a treat at their next in-service on Employee Wellness! The "Stress Busting!" agenda includes sessions on:

• stretching & flexibility
• stress causes and effect
• physical & emotional results
• relaxation techniques and chair massages to help unwind!

No doubt increased physical activity will also be suggested as an effective way to increase the “stress busting” endorphins. This in-service will help teachers understand the importance of movement before, during and after school for not only themselves, but also their special kids, and families.

As Brenda teaches about the body systems in her health classes, she is including the impact of food, nutrition, and physical activity as well. She supports these messages by providing additional information to classroom teachers. The PE teacher has kids moving more during PE time and playing on basketball teams after school. A school office assistant volunteered her time to lead a “stomp team” and they “cheered” at the basketball games!

Taking what kids have learned about healthy eating, the winners of the 5-A-Day Rap-Poetry contest at Focus Learning Elementary Academy have “(w)rapped up” a health message for you!

5 A DAY RAP
By LARUE KEMP – 5TH GRADE MS. BLUITT

FRUIT & VEGGIES THAT’S ALL I EAT!
BESIDE GOOD FOOD I DO EAT MEAT!
I TRY TO STAY HEALTHY EVERYDAY!

I EAT SO MUCH GOOD STUFF IT WILL MAKE YOU SAY HEY!
HEAR THAT HEART BEAT GO TAP, TAP, TAP.
THAT’S ALL FOR MY RAP!

5 A DAY RAP II
By DEMARCUS TARVER – 5TH GRADE MS. BLUITT

VEGGIES & FRUIT THAT’S MY STYLE!
I EAT THOSE FRUITS & VEGATABLES ALL THE TIME!
YOU CAN EAT BAD FOOD IF YOU WANT!
I’M GONNA EAT GOOD FOOD EVEN IF YOU DON’T!
FRUITS & VEGGIES 5 A DAY!
YO MAN THAT’S WHAT I SAY!

Adapting Healthy Behaviors for Special Needs

A “Focus” on the future health of their students has the staff, parents and kids at Focus Learning Academy in the SpotLight! The eight member KidLink team including coaches, the school nurse, and more, is molding ideas for healthy change to the unique needs of their special students!

• Students are singing and jiving about fruits and vegetables in a 5-A-Day Rap-Poetry contest.
• Wednesdays the school nurse, Brenda Daniels, presents a creative health topic to the classes adapting the fun HKC materials provided.
• Parents are getting on board, starting with the HKC power point presentation to create awareness of healthy change.

“There is a lot to do, but I love all the materials” Brenda says.