Superintendent Summitt

Last month City Commissioners, Superintendents, and many others meet to discuss the need of promoting  wellness and to highlight work that has been done!

Multnomah County Health Department created a great video that highlights Reynolds and Centennial's work.
Multnomah County Healthy Schools

I suggest you watch it to the end to see Centennial highlights!

Classroom parties don't have to equal junk food

Here is a quick resource for having a classroom party that does not focus on junk food!

Try a Healthy Snack
•  Fresh, whole fruit (apples, pears, oranges, bananas)
•  Fruit or applesauce cups (no sugar added)
•  100% fruit juice
•  Baby carrots or other vegetables served with hummus
•  Whole grain crackers or pretzels
•  Trail mix (nuts, dried fruit, whole grain cereal)
•  Brown rice cakes
•  Bagged, low-fat popcorn
•  Cheese sticks or slices
•  Yogurt cups

For more ideas.. Check out PPS Wellness Website


http://www.pps.k12.or.us/files/wellness/Healthy_Halloween_Treats.pdf
http://www.pps.k12.or.us/files/wellness/Healthy_Classroom_Party_IdeasMM.pdf

Wellness Policy Updates

The Wellness Policy updates are located in the Student Handbook on page 16. 

"Our Wellness Policy has been updated to address the changing health needs and concerns of our students, and to add choices by making sure that healthier options are available for everyone who wants them.  With a focus on more nutritious foods and increased opportunities for physical activity, new additions to the policy include:

* Fundraisers – schools can earn money without compromising the health of students, staff, and families, with projects that sell popular foods like fresh fruits, with traditional fundraisers that are activity based such as “Run For the Arts”, or by selling useful items like wrapping paper or magazines.

* Meal times – schools will work to make the healthier option the easier option for students by offering and promoting more choices in the cafeteria, and reducing competition from less nutritious foods like chips and sports drinks.  

* In the classroom – choices will be available when the school provides food at a celebration, for example if there are cupcakes for a party, a healthy option like fresh cut fruit will be offered as well. Also, food will not be used as a reward or motivation (such as a bribe for good behavior).

* Physical Activity – research shows that students who move, stretch, or engage in learning activities in the classroom also have better academic and behavioral outcomes. Physical activity will be promoted throughout the school day to encourage students to enjoy movement and exercise.

* Drinking water – because water is an essential nutrient and one of the healthiest beverage options, the new policy states that students and staff will have access to fresh drinking water throughout the school day, including in the cafeteria. 

We are proud of these new guidelines and thankful for the volunteers on the Centennial Wellness Committee who helped put them together. The new Wellness Policy will be reviewed every year by the Superintendent and the district Wellness Committee, and will be communicated for the benefit of students and staff. "

A new fruit tree orchard at CLC

The Centennial Learning Center created a partnership with the Fruit Tree Planting Company and had 20 fruit trees and 10 berry shrubs donated!  Students and staff spent Monday planting all 20 trees.  Thanks everyone for the hard work and new orchard!

See the article in the Oregonian for more information  http://blog.oregonlive.com/gresham_impact/print.html?entry=/2011/09/centennial_learning_center_stu.html

School Garden Grant Opportunites

 There are some great opportunities for creating or supporting schools gardens right now.  If you are interested in school gardens at your school, take a look at the links below!

http://www.yestocarrots.com/yes-to-seed-fund.html

http://wholekidsfoundation.org/gardengrants.php

Welcome Back

Welcome back to a new school year.  I hope that everyone had a relaxing yet exciting summer. 

This was a great summer for the Wellness Committee and the Healthy Active Schools program.  Here are a few of the summer events:

• Over the summer, Centennial had a visit from the Center for Disease Control, the Healthy Active Schools grant funders.  They came all the way from Atlanta, Georgia to visit Centennial and David Douglas SD.  They were very impressed with the passage of the Wellness Policy and AR in Centennial.  We visited the CMS track and Centennial Learning Center’s garden and school kitchen. 
• CMS Track:  As suggested by the Wellness Committee, we resurfaced the CMS track!  We meet with Atlas, the company the district contracts with for the track, early in the summer about what it would take to fix the track.  They gave us an estimate that was very reasonable and something that was feasible using both grant funds and district funds.  It was a great opportunity to promote physical activity for CMS students, Lynch Meadow students, staff and the larger Centennial community. Come by and see it. 
• Playworks:  Four schools; Lynch Wood, Oliver, Parklane, and Pleasant Valley, had an opportunity to participate in a Playworks training.  This training gave playground staff the skills to run a structured recess program.  Playworks focuses on getting children more involved in a safe, inclusive recess environment.  They focus on teaching students how to play but also how to solve playground conflicts using Rock, Paper, Scissors.  The goal is to reduce referral and other negative behavior that happens on the playground and to encourage healthy physical activity for all students. 
• Drinking Fountains:  New water fountains are being installed in four schools: Lynch View, CMS, Pleasant Valley and Lynch Wood.  The fountain at Lynch View has been complete and is located outside the cafeteria.  The fountain at CMS should be finished in the next few days.  
• New Superintendant:  I have met with Teresa Baldwin, Centennial’s new superintendent, to discuss the grant and the Wellness Committee.  Teresa is a big advocate of health and wellness and is very supportive of the work we are doing.  She and I are also looking at ways to continue this work when the grant is over on March 16^th.

It has been a great summer and I am ready for a great school year.  PLease let me know if the Wellness Committe can support your projects and ideas. 

Partner Spotlight

Centennial is rapidly moving forward in adopting and implementing polices that improve the health of students and staff within the district.  Check out our Partner Spotlight on the It Starts Here Campaign website.  Thanks everyone for your hard work and dedication to a healthier and happier environment in our schools!  Have a great and relaxing summer!

Theater in Your School

Kaiser Permantente's Educational Theater Program is offering a free play for students 4-6th grade.  The play is called "1 1/2"  and deals with the physical and emotional implications of childhood obesity.
The play is free and will be performed at your school. 

For more information check out the link "1 1/2"

Compassion Rockwood May 21, 2011

This Saturday is a one day FREE Health Care clinic for under-insured children and adults.  Proof of income is NOT required!  They will be providing the following services:
                                  Basic Medical Exams
                                  Emergency Dental Treatments
                                  Dental Cleaning (ages 3-18)
                                  Chiropractic Exams
                                  Vision Care
                                  Social Services Fair
                                  Children Activities
                                  and more!!!!

Portland Lutheran School

740 SE 182nd

May 21st, 2011  9 am -3 pm

For more information, visit  Compassion Rockwood

It Starts Here!

Visit the It Starts Here website to see what is happening in our communities to promote health and wellness!  Check out David Douglas' new hydration stations or watch videos about the hidden sugar in our drinks.  Find out how you can get involved in helping make our schools, homes, and communities healthier.

How much sugar is hiding in your drink?         

May is National Bike Month!

The weather is slowly getting better so now is a great time to pull your bike out, tune it up, and go for a ride! Check out all the local events in Gresham
Community Bike Events 
Find a new ride in your neighborhood 
Bike Path Map
Check out the Bicycle Transportation Alliance for more communty resources
BTA Resources

Send me a picture or story of your favorite ride and I will post it on the blog. 

Happy Riding!

New Wellness Policy Approved

On Wednesday, March 9, the Centennial School Board approved a new wellness policy created by the district's Wellness Committee.  Some policy highlights are:

• school meal programs will be designed to feature fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods from local sources to the greatest extent possible
• Fundraising efforts will be supportive of healthy eating
• Food should not be used as discipline or motivation in class (can be used as part of a celebration, if it includes healthy choices)
• at least 50% of PE time be devoted to physical activity
• staff will not use physical activity (running laps, pushups) as punishment
• schools will have access to free clean and safe drinking water at all facilities 

To see the entire policy follow this link:  Centennial Wellness Policy

Meet Julie Mack- New Healthy Active Schools Coordinator

Hello everyone.  Katie Cadigan had to leave her position as HAS Coordinator. Thanks for ALL your hard work Katie!  I have taken over her position and am excited to continue her work. 

A bit about me:  I have worked for Centennial School District since 2005, teaching for two years at Centennial Learning Center as the Health and PE teacher and working as an Educational Assistant. I graduated from Evergreen State College in Community Health and Education, and went on to Concordia University and received a Masters In Art of Teaching with an endorsement in PE and Health. My health secrets are northwest fruit (especially blueberries with soymilk), riding my bike, and I take a boxing class at Dishman Community Center.  I believe that when we feel good, we are happy, productive, caring people.  I want healthy environments and access to health resources to be a way of life for everyone. 

Stay tuned for updates, info, resources, and news!

Exciting Opportunities to Get Involved in 2011

Note these upcoming local events that offer hands on opportunities to help make our Centennial community a healthier place:

WHAT: East Portland Safe Routes Conversation - Join this Safe Routes to School workshop to share ideas about increasing walking and biking to school in East Portland, talk about challenges, ask questions, brainstorm solutions and meet your neighbors.

WHEN: Tuesday, January 18, 6:15-7:30pm

WHERE: Midland Library (805 SE 122nd Ave)

WHAT: Oregon Youth In Action Kick-Off - This event will announce a contest that awards $2,000 for middle and high school students who have great ideas to help fight obesity in their schools and neighborhoods.

WHEN: Saturday, January 22,1:30pm to 4:30pm
WHERE: Portland Building 1120 SW 5th Avenue, Portland, 97204