-
How can we make Ferguson-Florissant safer for our children?
Healthy Schools, Healthy Kids
Take action to improve children's health! EPA's comprehensive schools' website offers all the resources you need to establish, maintain, or enhance a school environmental health program.
Healthy School Environments
- Why Healthy Schools are Important
- EPA's Role in Creating Healthy Schools
- Other Resources that Support Healthy Schools
Air and Water Quality
Guidance and Tools
-
Caring for one's physical, emotional, and mental health, requires every individual to have a better understanding of what it means to be "healthy." This includes caring for such things as vision, control high blood pressure, and ensuring that mental health is of the highest priority.
Vision
May is Healthy Vision Month — Make Vision a Focus!
From the moment you wake up until you go to bed at night, your eyes are working to bring you the world. In fact, they deliver 80% of the information you take in every day — about your loved ones, your job, and all the things you love to see and do! That’s why it’s so important to keep them healthy and safe.
Healthy Vision Month is a time to raise awareness about eye health and strategies to help prevent vision loss and blindness. There are lots of ways you can get involved, but first things first: get an eye exam — and encourage the people you care about to do the same!
(National Eye Institute, 2018)
http://nationaleyeinstitute.org/?
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is the most important controllable risk factor for stroke, and it's National High Blood Pressure Education Month.
- One in three American adults has high blood pressure.
- About three in four people who have a first stroke, have blood pressure greater than 140/90 mm Hg.
- The American Heart Association says high blood pressure is usually preventable with simple steps, yet it kills more people worldwide than any other condition.
(American Heart Association, 2018)
Mental Health
Since 1949, Mental Health America and our affiliates across the country have led the observance of May is Mental Health Month by reaching millions of people through the media, local events and screenings. We welcome other organizations to join us in spreading the word that mental health is something everyone should care about by using the May is Mental Health Month toolkit materials and conducting awareness activities.
(Mental Health America, 2018)
http://mentalhealthamerica.net/?
-
April is National Cancer Control Month, a period during our busy year when the attention turns to combatting and overcoming this disease. According to researchers, more than 550,000 Americans die each year in the United States from one or another form of this disease. Ferguson-Florissant School District is committed to knowledge-sharing and expanding awareness of strategies to overcome this dreadful disease - cancer. Through proper nutrition, regular physical fitness/activities, adequate rest (8-10 hours of sleep each night), and frequent health check-ups, members of the FFSD can reduce risks each year.
Articles to help gain awareness:
https://www.cityofhope.org/blog/national-cancer-control-month
http://oncosec.com/national-cancer-control-month/
Days in April to keep in mind:
April 4th - National Walking Day
Why is walking important according to the American Heart Association?
Walking toward a healthier you!
There are countless ways you can get active, but walking has the lowest dropout rate of them all! It’s the simplest positive change you can make to improve your heart health. Research has shown that walking at least 30 minutes a day can help you:- Reduce your risk of coronary heart disease and stroke
- Improve your blood pressure, blood sugar levels and blood lipid profile
- Maintain your body weight and lower the risk of obesity
- Enhance your mental well-being
- Reduce your risk of osteoporosis
- Reduce your risk of breast and colon cancer
- Reduce your risk of non-insulin dependent (type 2) diabetes
There really are so many benefits for such a simple activity!
(www.heart.org, 2018)
-
History of National Nutrition Month
Initiated in March 1973 as a week-long event, "National Nutrition Week" became a month-long observance in 1980 in response to growing public interest in nutrition. Get more exciting information about the extraordinary beginnings of this historic celebrated national month of nutrional awareness. "National Nutrition Month: A Brief History."
(www.eatright.org, 2018)
Please join Ferguson-Florissant School District in celebrating National Nutrition Month this March with a healthy snack! Need inspiration? Here are ideas for quick, on-the-go snacks that will keep you fueled all day long: https://greatist.com/health/high-protein-snacks-portable.
Weeks to Note:
March 12 - 18: Patient Safety Awareness week
Days to Note:
March 5th: National School Breakfast Week
Starting your morning with a healthy meal is key to staying focused throughout the day. For #SchoolBreakfast week, FFSD wants to know your favorite way to fuel up for the school day. Send your favorite healthy breakfast meals to cebrown@fergflor.org. We will share them on our sight at the end of the month.
March 20th: World Oral Health Day
March 22nd: The American Diabetes Association Alert Day
March 22nd: World Water Day
Communites throughout Missouri are staying hydrated! Recently, Cool Valley Elementary installed a new water bottle station in the building that allows each student immediate access to water. This is important because we know water gives us the energy to be more active and feel our best. #WorldWaterDay
(Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2018)
-
What is American Heart Month?
American Heart Month, a federally designated event, is an ideal time to remind Americans to focus on their hearts and encourage them to get their families, friends and communities involved.
- The first American Heart Month, which took place in February 1964, was proclaimed by President Lyndon B. Johnson via Proclamation 3566 on December 30, 1963.
- The Congress, by joint resolution on that date, has requested the President to issue annually a proclamation designating February as American Heart Month.
- At that time, more than half the deaths in the U.S. were caused by cardiovascular disease.
- While American Heart Month is a federally designated month in the United States, it’s important to realize that cardiovascular disease knows no borders. Cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, remains the leading global cause of death with more than 17.9 million deaths each year.
- That number is expected to rise to more than 23.6 million by 2030.
- President Lyndon B. Johnson’s proclamation that first declared February as American Heart Month.
Chances are, we all know someone affected by heart disease and stroke, because about 2,300 Americans die of cardiovascular disease each day, an average of 1 death every 38 seconds. But together we can change that!
Weeks to put on the Calendar
February 1- 7 Patient Recognition Week
February 7 - 14 Congential Heart Defect Awareness Week
February 12 - 18 National Cardiac Rehabilitation Week
February 14 - 21 Alzheimer's and Dementia Staff Education Week
Important Dates
National Wear Red Day - February 2, 2018
World Cancer Day - February 4, 2018
National Donor Day - February 14, 2018
National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day - February 22, 2018
-
This January, the American Red Cross celebrates National Blood Donor Month and recognizes the lifesaving contribution of blood and platelet donors. As we begin the New Year, the Red Cross encourages individuals to resolve to roll up a sleeve to give this month and throughout 2018.
National Blood Donor Month has been observed in January since 1970 with the goal of increasing blood and platelet donations during winter – one of the most difficult times of year to collect enough blood products to meet patient needs. During the winter months, inclement weather often results in cancelled blood drives, and seasonal illnesses like the flu may cause some donors to become temporarily unable to donate.
Blood donation appointments can be made by downloading the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or to receive more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients.
A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Five health benefits from donating blood:
- Free blood tests – donated blood is tested and donor can asked to be informed if any irregularities are found.
- Satisfaction of saving human lives
- Calorie burn – Blood donation process burns 650 calories – about the same as an average spin class!
- Reduced risk of heart disease – helps eliminate excess buildup of iron in the blood
- Reduced risk of cancer – also due to reduction of excess iron buildup in the blood
Resources:
http://www.redcross.org/news/article/Resolve-to-Give-during-National-Blood-Donor-Month
https://healthprep.com/living-healthy/5-important-health-benefits-you-can-get-from-donating-blood/
https://www.few.org/national-blood-donor-month/
Federally Employed Women (2018)
-
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. It can cause blindness, nerve damage, kidney disease, and other health problems if it’s not controlled.
One in 10 Americans have diabetes — that’s more than 30 million people. And another 84 million adults in the United States are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The good news? People who are at high risk for type 2 diabetes can lower their risk by more than half if they make healthy changes. These changes include: eating healthy, getting more physical activity, and losing weight.
healthfinder.gov (2017)
How can American Diabetes Month make a difference?
We can use this month to raise awareness about diabetes risk factors and encourage people to make healthy changes.
Here are just a few ideas:
- Encourage people to make small changes, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Talk to people in your community about getting regular checkups. They can get their blood pressure and cholesterol checked, and ask the doctor about their diabetes risk.
- Ask doctors and nurses to be leaders in their communities by speaking about the importance of healthy eating and physical activity.
healthfinder.gov (2017)
-
Celebrate Walking to School All Month Long!
More than 5,200 schools around the country are celebrating the benefits and fun of walking to school during October, Walk to School Month. This is the kind of energy that leads to lasting change for communities. Schools in the Ferguson-Florissant School District will be actively participating in the Walk to School Celebration this month. We would like to invite parents in the FFSD family who are available to participate as well.
