• MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) in South Dakota Schools
• South Dakota Quit Line Expands Services
• School Health Policies and Program Study 2006 (SHPPS)
• Resources
• Funding Opportunities
• Professional Development

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a type of staph that is resistant to certain antibiotics. These antibiotics include methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin.

Staph infections, including MRSA, occur most frequently among persons in hospitals and healthcare facilities who have weakened immune systems. In schools, most MRSA infections are skin infections that may appear as pustules or boils which often are red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other drainage. These skin infections commonly occur at sites of visible skin trauma, such as cuts and abrasions, and areas of the body covered by hair.

Almost all MRSA skin infections can be effectively treated by drainage of pus with or without antibiotics. It is important to note that MRSA transmission can be prevented by simple measures such as hand hygiene and covering infections.

For more information about MRSA in Schools go to: http://doh.sd.gov/DiseaseFacts/MRSAinSchools.aspx.

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South Dakota Quit Line Expands Services

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School Health Policies and Program Study 2006 (SHPPS)

The Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) is releasing findings from the School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS) 2006 in the October issue of the Journal of School Health. SHPPS 2006 is the largest and most comprehensive assessment of America’s school health policies and programs to date. This new report describes key school health policies and practices across all eight school health program components: health education, physical education and activity, health services, mental health and social services, nutrition services, healthy and safe school environment, faculty and staff health promotion, and family and community involvement. In addition, SHPPS 2006 includes new topics—crisis preparedness and response and the physical school environment—which reflect new issues and concerns in school health and public health. For more information and fact sheets, go to DASH’s website (www.cdc.gov/SHPPS).

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Resources

Safe Routes to School Program to be Implemented in South Dakota

The South Dakota Department of Transportation recently hired Angela Olson of Pierre as their Safe Routes to School Coordinator (SRTS). The South Dakota SRTS program is in the beginning stages of development with the goal of implementing a pilot program by Jan/Feb. of next year.

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a nationwide program that creates safe, convenient and fun opportunities for children to bicycle and walk to and from their schools. The program seeks to increase the number of children walking and bicycling to schools and to improve traffic safety and mobility.

SRTS also aims to play a critical role in helping children be more active on a daily basis, in an effort to reverse the alarming nationwide epidemic of childhood obesity. Over the past 30 years, the percent of overweight children aged 6 to 11 years has more than doubled. Overweight children are more likely to become obese adults. Overweight and obese adults are at increased risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, some types of cancer and gall bladder disease. Regular physical activity for children helps to build and maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints; helps control weight, build lean muscle and reduce fat; improves sense of self-image and autonomy; and fosters healthy social and emotional development. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that children get at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily. Many children could achieve or even surpass the recommendation simply by walking, biking or using other active ways to travel to and from school.

To learn more about the SRTS pilot program in South Dakota, contact Angela Olson at angela.olson@state.sd.us or 605-773-2402.

For more information about the SRTS program, go to www.saferoutesinfo.org.

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SD Schools Walk Healthy Habits Calendar Pages

Even if you can't walk to school everyday, you can still do activities to help raise your heart rate and increase your level of physical fitness. The Schools Walk Health Habits Calendar pages are full of tips and ideas for implementing physical activity into everyday lifestyles.

Teachers may download and copy the calendar pages for the students by going to:
http://doe.sd.gov/oess/schoolhealth/sdwalks/calendar/schoolyear.pdf

Tips and Ideas for implementing the Schools Walk Healthy Habits Calendars:

• Teachers may lead the activities at some point during the school day or encourage their students to do the activities at home.

• Have the parents sign the calendar at the end of the month and return it via the child. Place the child's name on the gym wall for completing the month's activities.

• Provide stickers (stars, smiley faces, etc.) for children to put on each day they complete an activity.

• Print blank calendars for the summer months June through August for your students. Tell the students to create their own fitness calendar by including activities they like to do such as riding bike, playing volleyball, or swimming.

• Encourage students to answer the question in the box and personalize their calendars by drawing and coloring it.

• Post each month’s calendar in the classroom on a bulletin board designated for wellness. Provide updated wellness information from newspapers, internet, books, etc. that students will find interesting.

• Allow students to share their successes with the class.

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Funding Opportunities

Rescuing Recess

Although fresh air and play are said to assist kids in learning, the majority of schools do not have a policy that ensures daily recess. To help address this issue, Cartoon Network has partnered with one of Action for Healthy Kids Partners, the National Parent Teacher Association (and others) to create a national movement. Their campaign, "Rescuing Recess" coincides with National Recess Week - which takes place this week - and is designed to safeguard and promote daily recess. Now through June 2008, Rescuing Recess is recruiting volunteers nationwide to serve as recess monitors at their local elementary schools. Schools who participate in this effort have a chance to win up to $2,500 in cash grants and to compete for one national grant of $25,000! Visit http://RescuingRecess.com  to find out more.

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Midwest Dairy Council Breakfast Award for SD Schools.

The Midwest Dairy Council is excited to announce its 2007 Breakfast Award. Up to $10,000 will be awarded in each state that is bringing breakfast to their students in creative ways and with great results. DEADLINE IS NOV. 30, 2007. Eating breakfast yields better student test scores, increases concentration and attendance, decreases disciplinary problems and more. Schools that offer an expanded breakfast or an alternative serving method that has increased participation in your school breakfast program are encouraged to complete an application by following this link: http://www.midwestdairy.com/pages/index.cfm?TREE_ID=509 or by contacting Dawn Conrad, MS,RD, LN , MDA Program Manager at dconrad@midwestdairy.com

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Midwest Dairy Council Breakfast Award for SD Schools.

The Midwest Dairy Council is excited to announce its 2007 Breakfast Award. Up to $10,000 will be awarded in each state that is bringing breakfast to their students in creative ways and with great results. DEADLINE IS NOV. 30, 2007. Eating breakfast yields better student test scores, increases concentration and attendance, decreases disciplinary problems and more. Schools that offer an expanded breakfast or an alternative serving method that has increased participation in your school breakfast program are encouraged to complete an application by following this link: http://www.midwestdairy.com/pages/index.cfm?TREE_ID=509 or by contacting Dawn Conrad, MS,RD, LN , MDA Program Manager at dconrad@midwestdairy.com

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School Wellness Grant Program

The U.S. Potato Board (USPB) has supported nutrition education in schools for decades. In its newest educational initiative, the USPB has teamed up with the Child Nutrition Foundation (CNF) of the School Nutrition Association to launch its first-ever School Wellness Grant Program. Ten (10) grants of $2,500 each will be awarded to public elementary schools in the United States for equipment and/or educational programs that will help move children toward healthier diets and improve their overall wellness.
http://www.healthypotato.com/downloads/Grantpressrelease.pdf 
Organization: U.S. Potato Board and Child Nutrition Foundation of the School Nutrition Association

• Eligibility: School administrators, staff, and parents
• Value: 10 awards of $2,500

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Hear Me Project

The HEAR ME Project is again sponsoring its annual HIV/AIDS story writing competition. Young people ages 14 to 22 are encouraged to submit their original stories, either real or made up, about vulnerability to HIV and AIDS. The HEAR ME Project has also launched a new video contest that is taking place at the same time as the annual story-writing contest. Entry forms for both contests are included as attachments.

Additional information on these contests may be obtained from the HEAR ME Project Web site, http://www.hearmeproject.org/.

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Professional Development

For a complete list of professional development opportunities, visit www.southdakotapd.com.

• LifeSkills Training

LifeSkills Training – November 28-29, Sioux Falls

Lifeskills Training is a proven, highly effective, substance abuse prevention program. The training is recommended for Teachers, Counselors, Prevention Advocates, Safe & Drug Free School Coordinators and School Nurses and is designed to:

• provide students with the necessary skills to resist social pressures to smoke, drink, and use drugs;
• help students develop greater self-esteem, self-mastery, and self-confidence;
• enable students to effectively cope with social anxiety; increase students knowledge of the immediate consequences of substance abuse.

Approval has been granted for one hour of graduate or undergraduate credit or for one Department of Education Certificate Renewal Credit. The course may also be taken for no credit. Information regarding the training design and content and how to register go to: http://doe.sd.gov/oess/schoolhealth/training/docs/LST-Flyer%20Nov%20%202007%20Sioux%20Falls1.pdf.

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