School Health

Fun With Fractions

Set-up:

 

Run with Fractions

A fun way to learn about fractions! 

Grade Level: 2-5

Equipment: 

Set-up #1 (for full class)

On one half of the gym, scatter the cut pool noodles. Choose 2 people to guard the noodles. Give every other student a Super Strap to wear. Set a timer for 3 minutes. how to play: When the teacher says go, all Super Strap wearers try to run to the other side and grab one noodle piece to bring back to their side, without losing their flag. You are not safe anywhere on that side of the gym.  Once you return back to your side, you put the noodle piece on the end line. You keep playing until the 3 minutes is up.  At that point, your team will add up the noodle pieces, stacking up the smaller pieces to equal 1. What is your grand total? Play again and beat that total. Choose new taggers (flag pullers). 

 

Set-up #2 (for 6 teams)

Put all the noodle pieces in the center circle. Put 6 hoops equally around the perimeter of the gym, and split the students onto teams. Choose one team to guard the circle and give them pinnies to wear. The taggers have to stay in the circle. Set a timer for 3 minutes. how to play: When the teacher says go, all flag belt wearers try to run to the circle and steal one piece of pool noodle to bring back to their hoop, without losing their flag. You are not safe in the circle, or even near it. If you can steal a piece, you bring it back to your hoop and go again. If you lose your flag, either before or after you steal a piece, you take it back, go back to your hoop, put it on, and try again. After 3 minutes, stop the game and ask the students to return to their hoop and add up their pieces. Stack them so they equal 1. What is your grand total? Whichever team has the most can be the next taggers.  variations: Travel to other side or circle using different locomotors.

Start Getting Ready For The Next School Year

As you gear up for the end of another school year, it's the perfect time to start thinking ahead and planning for the next one! Whatever your role is, we have a few tips to help you plan better and make the transition smoother.

What can you do to prepare for the new school year?

  • Supply Lists – Our premade supply lists take the hassle out of supply ordering for the upcoming year. From essentials to exciting new products, planning for next year just got a whole lot easier.
  • ESSER III Funding – Be sure to check if there is any ESSER funding left in your district that you can use. Download our interactive supply list to see what you can purchase! If you’re looking to dig deeper into ESSER, watch our Federal Funding Explained series, where our funding expert, Dr. Ray, discusses the significance of utilizing these funds and specifics on how to do so.
  • Expert Assistance – Our experts know their stuff inside and out! With years of specialized knowledge in their fields, they each can provide guidance navigating complex compliance situations, product selection, program implementation, and equipment training. You will always be in good hands when you choose School Health. Our specialists can help in the following areas: vision and hearing, emergency preparedness, PE curriculum and professional development, special education, and sports medicine. Get a free consultation!
  • School Safety Center – Visit our School Safety Center for tips on creating an emergency operations plan that works best for your school or district. Make sure you have a plan to ensure  your emergency must-haves are in working order and ready to use. Some of these include AEDs, trauma kits, drug deactivation systems and evacuation equipment.  Summer school, camps, and athletic practices will soon be taking place so it’s crucial to stay emergency-ready! Ask us about our SH Connect  compliance Management System to make this process a breeze!
  • Essentials Restock - Get ready for the upcoming school year by taking inventory, organizing, cleaning, and sanitizing your workspaces, including disposing of any expired supplies or medications. Think about the infection prevention, cleaning, and general health essentials you use on a daily basis such as gloves, tissues, menstrual products, soaps, and disinfectants – and make sure you have enough of them!

Although the start of a new academic year can be overwhelming, our resources will help you stay prepared and ready to tackle whatever may come your way. We are always here to help, so that you can walk through the door on the first day of school with a little less worry, and a lot more confidence!

Looking for More?

Don’t forget to take a browse through our online catalogs where you can find all the supplies you need with a single click! Also, connect with us on social media to get more tips, participate in contests, and stay up to speed in everything health. Plus, subscribe to our emails to hear about new product offerings and get $5 off your first order! 

Combating Burnout: Tips for Self-Care

 

Did you know that workplace burnout has been on the rise ever since the pandemic first hit in 2020? According to The American Institute of Stress, 80% of workers feel stressed from their job, and nearly half of them need help coping with this stress. The education sector is notorious for its high-stress environment, with school staff frequently dealing with long working hours, heavy workloads, increasing administrative tasks, and pressure to focus on the individual needs of each student. Acknowledging burnout is essential to maintain the wellbeing of school employees and empower staff to create a healthy work-life balance. With the holiday season approaching, now is the perfect time to start recognizing your stress triggers and indulging in the things you find most enjoyable.

Main Causes of Burnout in School Workers

In order to tackle burnout head on, we first need to start with knowing what it is and the effects that it has on the individual, both professionally and personally. There are many common causes of burnout in school workers. These include:

  • Excessive workload – Individuals who work in schools are frequently stretched thin and feel pressured to work long hours just to keep up. Large school and class sizes, increasing administrative responsibilities, and limited support staff are just a few of the challenges that lead to an unmanageable workload. 
  • Lack of resources – School employees may believe they are not being provided with the funding, materials, and equipment that is necessary for them to succeed in their role, contributing to feelings of frustration.
  • Administrative pressures – School nurses, teachers, and other educational workers may struggle to keep up with the demands of parents, administrators, and the community. 

Although your work environment may seem difficult and unbearable, there is one blissful thing that you should always strive to squeeze into your schedule: self-care. Like burnout, self-care also comes in many different forms and looks different for each individual. This is the time where you can focus on the most important thing: yourself!

Self-Care Tips (No… It’s Not Selfish!)

Taking intentional steps to nurture your own health and happiness is the first step to eliminating any overwhelming or negative feelings. Find what works best for you and prioritize it as frequently as you can. Psychiatrist, Amanda Itzkoff, explains the three types of self-care that are key to ongoing self-efficacy:

1. Physical

  • Take a nap to recharge your body and mind
  • Connect with nature and embrace the fresh air
  • Engage in physical activity such as jogging, walking, or even dancing
  • Do something crafty or DIY
  • Go for a drive without a destination

2. Mental

  • Journal or write down five things you love about yourself
  • Practice mindfulness with meditation or yoga to stay present in the moment
  • Take breaks when needed
  • Set boundaries when necessary to protect your time and energy
  • Read books to keep your mind occupied 

3.  Social

  • Spend time with your loved ones, including pets
  • Join a club or social group for extra support
  • Volunteer with others that have shared interests 
  • Express gratitude by performing small acts of kindness
  • Unplug from your devices and engage in person 

Recognizing and addressing the stress and burnout epidemic within schools is crucial for building a positive and healthy learning environment. This holiday season, be sure to take care of yourself as much as you take care of others. Being in tune with your mind and body is the first step to combatting burnout, which is why self-care is so utterly important. Once you assess your own needs and find techniques that work for YOU, workplace challenges will be a little less dreadful and your life will be a little more fulfilling.

To kick-start your self-care routine, check out this video

We wish your family a very happy, healthy, and prosperous season!

 

Resources

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/signs-of-burnout/

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health

https://www.stress.org/workplace-stress

https://aihc-assn.org/burnout-a-threat-to-our-health-care-system/

https://psychiatristsnyc.com/blog/3-essential-types-of-self-care-for-everyday-life/\

The Opioid Crisis: Be Prepared for the Unexpected

 

Did you know that over 10 million people abuse prescribed opioids every year? According to the CDC, 1 in 7 high school students report that they have misused opioids at least once in their lifetime. The opioid crisis is a problematic pattern that can affect anyone regardless of race, gender, income level, or social class. Many of these incidents take place in educational settings, which is the one place where children should be safe. This makes it crucial that staff and students know what to do in the event of an overdose, share knowledge, and recognize the warning signs beforehand.

The Importance of Overdose Education in Schools

Detailed and comprehensive training within schools can empower the overall community to respond effectively to an overdose situation. Providing education about the dangers of opioids, along with how to prevent addiction and misuse, is an important initiative that schools can implement during this ongoing epidemic. Evidence-based prevention programs also have the ability to benefit schools by raising awareness and educating the overall school community about these drugs.

  • Both students and staff can learn about the dangers of opioid misuse, how they can mitigate the risks in their environment, and ways to prevent addiction
  • Schools can enforce an emergency plan outlining specific steps to be followed in the event of a drug overdose
  • School communities can offer students support and guidance through addiction or recovery, promoting healthier coping mechanisms

What is Naloxone and Why Should Schools Have It?

Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a medication used to rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It works by binding to the same receptors in the brain that opioids bind to, reversing and blocking the harmful effects that occur during an overdose. It brings the fatal symptoms of an opioid overdose to a halt in a prompt, safe, and efficient manner. Typically administered as a nasal spray, this medication has the potential to restore normal breathing in the individual. Nevertheless, even if someone has received naloxone, they will likely still need professional medical attention to prevent a recurrence of symptoms. It’s important to acknowledge that naloxone only works if the person is suspected to have taken opioids. However, schools nationwide are prioritizing the implementation of it, with the goal of promoting safety and protecting students and staff. The Food and Drug Administration approved Narcan for non-prescription use in March of 2023, meaning that anybody has the ability to purchase it without a doctor's approval. Ever since, schools have been stocking naloxone in case of an emergency.

 

The Key Points of Naloxone

  • Quick onset – Typically takes 1-5 minutes to restore normal breathing
  • Safety – Not addictive and has low risk for adverse effects
  • Over the counter - Accessible so that it is readily available for the people who need it

There are many steps that schools can take to prepare, prevent, and protect their community from opioid overdose. Overdose action plans should be thorough and involve a combination of education, support, and enforcement. School Health can help you get one step closer to saving a life with our new Naloxone Training Kits and other first aid necessities. Also, don’t forget to check out our recent webinar to learn more about this epidemic and what you can do to create a safer school environment, reducing the risk of opioid overdoses once and for all.

Resources

https://www.ed.gov/opioids/

https://www.cdc.gov/museum/education/newsletter/2022/july/index.html

https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/opioids/idph-data-dashboard.html

https://youth.gov/youth-topics/substance-abuse/opioids

https://drugabusestatistics.org/opioid-epidemic/

BLOG: Getting Students Excited About Nutrition

BLOG: Getting Students Excited About Nutrition

 

It seems the sight of children running around a playground is few and far between. Tablets, television and video game consoles are the new slides and swings, and it is taking a toll on children’s eating habits and physical health.

The inactivity of children has turned childhood obesity into a global epidemic and according to Benioff Children’s Hospitals, media use has been identified as a main contributing factor. Studies from Benioff states children between 8 and 18 spend about 6 hours and 43 minutes a day on media devices. Limited physical activity is an obvious reason excessive screen time is unhealthy, but the ads that come with the media they are consuming can be harmful as well. Children’s media often contains ads for foods that mostly have high sugar and high fat content.

Getting children away from their tablet completely is a tough task, but being able to limit screen time by finding something more entertaining is a big first step, and that first step can be at school.

What a child replenishes with after physical activity is just as important as the activity itself. FamilyDoctor.org explains the lifestyle benefits for children that eat healthy as well as what these healthy habits can prevent.

As teachers, it is important to educate your students on the benefits of good nutrition, and work to introduce them to some healthy snacks. School Health provides numerous ways to educate children on what a balanced meal looks like. The MyPlate Real Plate is a teaching aid used at mealtimes to show food groups and portion sizes for each meal.

Helping your students understand what it takes to maintain a healthy lifestyle can be essential for their future and taking a fun and rewarding approach through games and engaging educational resources can make it easier for them to remember key components.

BLOG: Negative Effects of Fast Food

BLOG: Negative Effects of Fast Food

 

We all know that fast food is not a healthy option when deciding what to eat. There is plenty of well-researched evidence showing that regularly eating fast food can harm a person’s health. Eating a poor quality diet high in these types of foods is linked to a higher risk of obesity, depression, digestive issues, heart disease and stroke, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and early death.

People who eat fast food four or more times a week up their risk of dying from heart disease by 80%. Fast foods create a much higher risk of heart disease because of the high levels of saturated or trans fats found in much of the food. Those fats can clog the arteries and over time contribute to high cholesterol levels.

A well-balanced meal contains nutrients which are necessary for human development. Fast food lacks these essential nutrients which in turn is not giving your body what it needs to thrive.

The high calorie count and sugar levels associated with fast food contribute to increased weight gain. Even small amounts of fast food can increase your calorie intake considerably. When looking to lose weight, dropping fast food from your diet is an absolute must.

Type 2 Diabetes is another problem that can arise when consuming too much fast food. This is a chronic condition that affects the way the body processes blood sugar. Symptoms include increased thirst, frequent urination, hunger, fatigue, and blurred vision. A diet high in fast food along with an inactive lifestyle can put you on the fast track to diabetes.

Teaching students at an early age the benefits of eating healthy and avoiding fast food is a great way to lower our youth’s risk of obesity.

Here is a great resource for teaching students the importance of proper nutrition in a fun way.

The Zone™ Fast Food Foolery
Introduce proper nutrition concepts through active play.
Perfect for Health and Nutrition classes, or even as a quick “brain break.” Randomly chosen students begin the game holding one of the 3 included fast food components (cheeseburger, fries, drink). The remaining students try to avoid being tagged by the unhealthy food. If tagged, they must take the food component and try to get rid of it by tagging another student. Game teaches proper eating habits and spatial awareness. Includes: soft drink, loose fries/container, cheeseburger with bun and toppings. Meets national standards 1 – 5. Two or more sets recommended for large class sizes.

BLOG: Helping a PE Substitute Teacher Succeed

BLOG: Helping a PE Substitute Teacher Succeed

 

Substitute teachers are often at a disadvantage when walking into any classroom. It can be even more difficult for a PE teacher. There are no seating charts and, in many cases, very few ways to maintain control of an entire classroom of children no matter what their age. If you know you are going to have a substitute in your class, there are a few simple things you can do to make their job easier.

Announce to your class that there will be a substitute teacher instructing the class. Talk to your kids about the type of behavior you expect from them in your absence. Encourage them to be as helpful as possible by getting out any equipment that is needed and then helping to put things away when the class is over. Give extra credit points to those who go above and beyond to help the sub have a good day.

Leave your substitute teacher a note, welcoming them to the class and provide them with a list of other teachers they can look to if they need immediate assistance with the class. Let them know how much you appreciate their willingness to take over your duties and that you have informed the class to be on their best behavior. Lastly, include any information you feel may be beneficial that will make them look forward to meeting your students.

Have a clipboard ready with a list of the student’s in each class and a few game ideas. If the substitute is confident with teaching an actual class, lay out the lesson for the day and add any notes that will be useful. Many classes have student helpers that are chosen on a day to day basis. If you have a helper, create a list for them as well. They can work with the teacher by answering questions about the class or making sure all of the class goals are accomplished for the day.

If you can meet with the substitute teacher at least once before they teach your class. In some cases, this won’t be possible, but if your substitute will be assuming your duties for longer than two or three days, meeting with them will be extremely helpful. You will be able to answer any questions they may have and allow them to get a feel for your teaching style. If they can visit your class during school, it will allow the students to meet them prior to them taking over the class. This way, there will be no surprises and the kids will already know who will be waiting for them in class.

It’s important to remember that not all substitute teachers know the rules of certain games or sports so asking them to teach a lesson in basketball or another sport will be difficult. Make sure to provide them with activities they are able to teach with confidence. Depending on their level of experience, they may be a little nervous teaching a PE class simply because it is taught differently than other academic classes. Include instructions for simple games and divide the students into smaller groups so they are easier to manage.

No one wants to miss a day of teaching but when it happens, you need to make sure your students are properly taken care of. Leave as many notes as you feel comfortable with. If it makes you feel better, call the school and talk to the substitute at lunchtime. Find out how they are doing and if they have any questions or concerns. Keep the lines of communication open and let your substitute know they can count on you or other faculty if help is needed.

BLOG: Tips to Win Over Your Students

BLOG: Tips to Win Over Your Students

 

By: Kelly Zerby

It’s time to go back to school, are you ready?  Whether you are going back to the same school you have been in for many years, or if you are starting at a new place, you need to start the new year off on the right foot with your students.  Here are a few suggestions for you.

Smile and Stay Positive

Set a welcoming tone for your students.  Greet them on the playground and tell them you are happy to see them.  They are nervous coming back to school after having been gone for 2 months.  They are going to be so excited to see a familiar and welcoming face. 


Set Routines

Children thrive on routine, and teachers do too.  Once you set it up, and keep it consistent, things will fall into place.  For example, my students do instant activities when they enter the gym most days.  During the first few times the students come to PE class with me, I teach them all the instant activities, and we practice them.  Then as the weeks continue, when they enter PE, they know all the activities. 


Give respect, get respect

You have to set up an atmosphere of respect in your gymnasium.  My students know I care about them and want them to learn. I make sure they make decisions about what they want to learn and how they want to learn it.  If I see a student in distress, I make sure to have a one on one conversation. I also feel it’s important that your students know you are human too. I often tell them stories from when I was a kid, or when I was a high school athlete.  My students are always eager to learn more about me, and tend to listen better because I am human, not just a teacher to them.


Remember, things take time.

Whatever the case may be, remember that back to school procedures takes time.  The students need to be re-taught all the school expectations and they need to practice them.  It may seem tedious, but if you are structured and consistent, your students will learn and follow the routines.  

Try something new. 

As teachers we should always be looking to change for the better. Challenge yourself to improve in one or more areas. Reflect on last year or previous years and ask yourself what can I make better? Ask for feedback from colleagues in and out of your building. Talk to other professionals via Twitter or other means. The changes may be small but the impact may be huge. Think outside the box and be brave enough to try that new idea. 

BLOG: Building Strength and Character Through Sportsmanship and Encouragement

BLOG: Building Strength and Character Through Sportsmanship and Encouragement

 

Sportsmanship is a learned trait. While many athletes are naturally gracious, no one likes to lose. With that being said, much of the behavior they exhibit on the field are learned traits that they pick up from their peers and their parents. Competition is a good thing when it is used as a motivator to encourage student-athletes to do their very best.

It can be extremely challenging when it gets taken to the extreme and a win must be achieved no matter what the cost. As an educator, it’s up to you to teach your students the true value of sportsmanship and that even a loss can result in a victory if you learn something in the process.

Strength and Power Are Two Different Things

Even incredibly weak people have the power to say the most hurtful things. They may be strong when it comes to physical strength, but if their strength isn’t supported by compassion their words can be incredibly damaging. When training your students, remember to strengthen their minds as well as their bodies. Encouragement is something that can be passed on. While you are encouraging them to improve, remind them to encourage others. Supporting others who may be struggling is not a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of character and it works to strengthen the group as a whole.

It Takes Two

Many student-athletes are so driven by the need to win that they forget the value of their opponent. Without someone to compete against, there would be no victory of any kind. It’s important that you remind your athletes that the true value of any competition shouldn’t be weighed only by who won or lost. It should be weighed by the value of the teams and the players who make up the field. Any championship team can struggle and falter, but it’s in how they recover that their value and worth is shown. After losing a game, it isn’t the winner’s value that increases. The sportsmanship qualities both teams exhibit to one another makes sure both teams share the value. One in lessons learned that will allow them to improve and the other in respecting their opponent.


Lessons Learned from Loss

A team can lose and only lay the blame at the feet of others, or they can look at their level of play. What could they have done better? Was someone just not on their game? Did everyone work together as a team? The only loser is a team that doesn’t take the loss as an opportunity for growth. A true sportsman is one who accepts the loss and then commits to doing better the next time. Congratulating the other team and sharing your support for their hard-earned win is what will make both teams stand out to others. Each student-athlete will look at loss differently. It’s up to you as an educator to help them realize how important it is to support and respect others, no matter who wins or loses.

It’s All About Respect

Whether it is as a member of a team or an individual competitor, each athlete is responsible for their own behavior and their own level of play. Winning may be the desired goal, but a loss will eventually occur. The athlete’s character will be determined by how he or she reacts to not just losing, but winning as well. An athlete who respects his or her opponent will be gracious no matter the outcome. Belittling an opponent who has lost a competition does not make them a better winner. It actually detracts from their character. As a teacher, it should always be your goal to encourage your students to be respectful both on the field and off. Building character starts with teaching your athletes respect in all situations. Win or lose, it’s their character and sportsmanship that will define them as a model athlete.

Whether a student has natural athletic ability or not, when they enter a physical education class it is up to the teacher to educate them on the importance of good sportsmanship. Teach them to encourage and appreciate one another, no matter what their skill level, and you will eventually begin to see the better athletes stopping to encourage those who are struggling. Teach respect and sportsmanship will follow closely behind. The result will be a student-athlete with a strong character who understands that even a loss can be counted as a small victory towards improvement.

BLOG: How Smartphones and Social Media are Affecting Students

BLOG: How Smartphones and Social Media are Affecting children


We know smartphones are a large distraction in the classroom, but the psychological toll that these devices have on our youth is a growing problem that can have dire consequences on a child’s mental health.

When students were surveyed asking if they felt obligated to constantly be on social media
most agreed they did. They felt they needed to keep up with their friends and what they were doing.

With constant posts, pictures, check-ins and stories being posted to social media, it paints a picture of perfect and happy lives. But, we know no one has the “perfect life” and we know everyone struggles with their own unique ups and downs, –but “the downs” are never broadcasted on the internet, giving the illusion that not everyone is struggling. “What is wrong with me?” one might ask. “I am struggling and it seems no one else is. Everyone else is active and happy and always enjoying life.”

Are students jumping on social media with the intent of comparing their lives to others? Are they trying to find a way to feel bad about themselves? Probably not. But, it’s human nature to compare. We place value on the cool stuff we have, the awesome things we’re doing, and the amazing places we’re going. We feel obligated to show our “friends” the positive aspects of our lives while simply leaving out the negative.

So here leaves our students…absorbing all this “information”. Making them constantly question if they are good enough. Thoughts like these are easily brewed into feelings of anxiety and depression.

 

Studies have found over 70% of teens feel anxious or depressed due to smartphones. While older students have reported they realize they need a break from social media and will delete apps or shut off their phones, younger students need help taking these breaks. Some schools have taken up banning cell phones on campus but many find it hard to do so. Often assignments and grades are posted online so students are constantly checking into them. While online they find it too tempting not to respond to the dozens of messages they have received. Having so much new information popping up, they feel pressured into addressing every single one. It’s addicting in a way. Once you look at one message you feel guilty not reading the other ones.

In order to help young students from becoming too caught up and overwhelmed by smartphones and social media, many parents are agreeing to hold off on the purchase of cellphones until their children are at least in 8th grade in a movement called ‘Wait until 8th’. This program ensures the majority of children in your child’s grade will not have smartphones so no one feels left out. This is a small step forward in preventing students from becoming overcome by the social media craze at such an early age…and hopefully keeping our student’s mental health in check a little longer.