Parents and caregivers want their children to be happy, healthy, and productive. A focus on health and safety is important for all children as they grow up. Healthy children start to learn skills when they are born. These skills will help them in school and when they are adults.
Teachers can’t do it all! But, sometimes common problems in the classroom and hallways usually extend beyond “bad behavior” and could be indicators of certain health issues. Resolving health issues in school can have a positive impact on attendance and focus during the school day.
Health staff play a pivotal role in a growing child’s life. Doctors, nurses, health educators, and medical support staff all communicate important information to children and families related to physical and mental health and well-being.
Policies and laws help shape school health in practice. As research continues to show how health affects education and vice versa, programs to promote school health are growing. Anyone can be an advocate - students, families, educators, and community members.
The Healthy and Ready to Learn Resource and Training Center provides free trainings to equip all adults in the lives of children with the knowledge and skills to promote strong attendance, community health, and training sensitivity.
For 36 years Children's Health Fund has provided high quality clinical services to children in some of the most underserved communities in the country. The Healthy and Ready to Learn initiative is the next step.
You have a lot on your plate already. But the job can be harder if students do not come to school ready to learn. A hungry child is not ready to conquer the day.
You can act as first responders to hunger in schools since you are often the first to see students in the morning. You can help families understand the school breakfast policy and refer families to the main office staff to enroll in free or reduced price food programs if you notice a student is often hungry in school. You may also want to provide snacks in the classrooms yourself for special situations. You can also talk to your school guidance counselor about services you can refer families to help them provide food for their kids. Explore our materials on how you help keep your students hunger-free so they are healthy and ready to learn below.
https://hrl.nyc/hbl-hunger-educators
