Healthy Kids Challenge

Welcome to Wednesday WOWS! September 20, 2006
W-wonderful O-opportunities W-with S-schools

....Easy HEAR, SEE, DO action tips each week

HEAR >>>> Provide a message to increase awareness of knowledge/skills
SEE   >>>> Show people HOW to make healthy changes
DO    >>>> Help people practice and make healthy changes


The WOWS Message: Getting Kids Engaged in Healthy Eating at School: Part One

< HEAR >

Much thought and deliberation has been spent on developing your current School Wellness Policies. Now, how do you get those wonderful ideas on paper to become reality for kids? More importantly, how do you involve kids and build skills around healthy eating and activity? Start by using the ideas, resources and events given in this and the following WOWS newsletter!

< SEE >
< DO >
  1. KidLinks connect with school food service during the National School Lunch Week, "Vote for School Lunch", by building a simple, cardboard box voting booth in the cafeteria and providing a mock election of the five candidates: Pete Pizza, Sally Salad, Heddi Spaghetti, Rocco Taco and Ricky Chicken. Present the candidate descriptions on posters and use this opportunity to give kids a view of the voting process. For candidate descriptions check out: http://www.voteforschoollunch.org/meet_candidates.html .
  2. Get the Student Advisory Group to assist with the National School Lunch preparations by helping with the voting booth building and assisting with the election. SAG members can also create bulletin board displays and cafeteria decorations to promote the funny candidate characters. Fun downloadable activity sheets are available to pass out as well at the School Nutrition Association's Web site listed above.


Super Suggestions
As you put in place your plan of action for involving kids in fun, creative activities and events for healthy eating and physical movement, seek out our HKC materials for simple and quick ideas. The Food Museum! booklet provides grocery store field trip and classroom suggestions, Setting Up for Success booklet provides interactive display and activity ideas for health fairs, inservices, and classroom lessons, and Acting Up booklet puts kids in motion while learning! Check them out at:
http://www.healthykidschallenge.com/ordermaterials.php


<><><> HEAR_SEE_DO Tips for Newsletters <><><>

Cut and paste a HEAR_SEE_DO tip each week into your own parent newsletters!

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School Lunch Week Celebration
Show your interest and support by joining your child for lunch during the National School Lunch Week, October 9-13. As you and he/she look over the school menu, discuss their cafeteria food preferences and why. Get a better view of their eating habits at school. Encourage him/her to join their school's Student Advisory Group (SAG) to promote positive food behavior actions.
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Grant Opportunity
A vast array of grants for teachers, schools, and parent groups
______________________________________________
 
SHOPA Kids in Need Foundation-Teacher Grants
http://www.shopa.org/  
Deadline: September 30, 2006             
The School, Home and Office Products Association Kids in Need Foundation is offering K-12 teacher grants with funding to provide innovative learning opportunities for their students. Awards range from $100 to $500 each and are used to finance creative classroom projects. Typically, 200 to 300 grants are awarded each year. Winning projects are put in the form of lesson plans and are published as a Best Practices Guide. Applications are available on the SHOPA Kids in Need Foundation Web site listed above.

NEA Foundation Student Achievement Grants
www.neafoundation.org
Deadline: October 15, 2006 for the next review period
The NEA Foundation is offering Student Achievement Grants to improve the academic achievement of students in U.S. public schools and public higher education institutions. Grants of $5,000 are available. Grant funds may be used for resource materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, software, or scholars-in-residence. For more information visit http://www.neafoundation.org/programs/StudentAchievement_Guidelines.htm .

Lowe's Toolbox for Education Grant Program
http://www.lowes.com
Deadline: October 15, 2006 and February 15, 2007
To empower parents and further encourage their involvement in their children's schools, Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation has established the Lowe's Toolbox for Education grant program to fund school improvement projects initiated by parents. Lowe's will donate a total of $5 million to schools and school parent teacher groups in 2006 and 2007. Any nonprofit K-12 school or parent group that has a group tax ID number and official 501 (c) (3) status from the IRS is eligible to apply. Up to $5,000 per school is available. For further information and application visit the Toolbox for Education Web site at:http://www.toolboxforeducation.com/ .


Thought for the Day

"Do life a big favor and refuse to accept anything less than the best from it. Give respect to those around you by relating to them with the highest of expectations. It is not naive, cruel or arrogant to sincerely expect the best of yourself, of every other person and of every situation. In fact, it is highly empowering and enriching for all concerned." -- Ralph Marsten


For questions about Healthy Kids Challenge, please contact:
Vickie L. James, RD, LD, Director
vickie@healthykidschallenge.com
www.healthykidschallenge.com
1-888-259-6287