April 26 – 30 is Every Kid Healthy Week. This annual observance shines a spotlight on the many efforts that schools make to improve the health and wellness of students and the link between good nutrition, physical activity, and learning. Healthy students are better learners and academic achievement bears a lifetime of benefits for overall health and wellness.
Help celebrate Every Kid Healthy Week by engaging in your child’s school to support student health and learning. Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that when parents and school staff work together, students are healthier and more successful in school. Here are some actions that you can take both at home and at school to be more involved in your child’s school health activities.
- Support learning about health in your home. Involve your child in cooking meals, shopping for healthy foods, and reading labels on over-the-counter medicines. Ask your child to share the health and safety behaviors they learn at school with you.
- Take time to volunteer at your child’s school. In accordance with your school’s safety protocols and as your schedule allows, attend after-school events or participate in a school committee, such as a health team or parent organization. Ask the school if you can volunteer with physical activity and sports programs.
- Communicate regularly with your school and review any information it shares with parents. Read school newsletters, attend parent-teacher-student conferences, and check out your school’s website to learn what is happening. Meet regularly with your child’s teachers to discuss his or her grades, behavior, and accomplishments.
- Advocate for parent engagement. Ask your school if there is a mission statement or action plan for parent engagement. Talk with teachers and staff to suggest simple changes that can make the school a more pleasant and welcoming place for parents.
For more information, visit the CDC’s Healthy Schools resources website.