Active Schools Examples
State
Mississippi Requires Increased Physical EducationIn 2007, Mississippi enacted legislation that requires the following elements:
- 150 minutes per week of physical activity-based instruction and 45 minutes per week of health education for grades K to 8;
- one semester of physical education or physical activity for grades 9 to 12;
- school wellness plans that promote increased physical activity, healthy eating behaviors and other healthy lifestyles choices into core subject areas; and
- the position of a state physical activity coordinator at the Mississippi Department of Education.
www.healthyschoolsms.org/ohs_main/MShealthystudentsact.htm
Delaware Strengthens Physical Education (PE) and Physical Activity EffortsDelaware requires students in grades 1 to 8 to be enrolled in a PE program. The state established a physical education/physical activity pilot program in at least six of Delaware’s public elementary, middle or high schools to determine the potential for future expanded use in all of the state’s public schools. Each school in the pilot program is required to provide at least 150 minutes per week of a combination of physical education and physical activity for each student. Physical education and physical activity may include PE classes, recess and planned classroom breaks. The state also required each school district and charter school to assess the physical fitness of each student at the elementary-, middle- and high-school level, and provide the results to students’ parents or guardians.
http://nasbe.org/healthy_schools/hs/state.php?state=Delaware#Physical_Education
www.doe.k12.de.us/infosuites/staff/ci/content_areas/files/Reg503PhysicalEducationDec2006.pdf
North Carolina State Board of Education Promotes Physical Activity
North Carolina’s Board Policy (HSP-S-000, 2005) requires schools to provide a minimum of 30 minutes of daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity to all students in grades K to 8. This may be completed through regular physical education, physical activities, recess, dance, classroom energizers or other curriculum-based physical education. The physical activity must involve physical exertion of at least a moderate-to-vigorous intensity level and for a duration that is sufficient enough to provide a significant health benefit to students. Another board policy prohibits taking away structured and unstructured recess and other physical activity from students as a form of punishment. In addition, it prohibits using severe and inappropriate exercise as a form of punishment for students.
http://nasbe.org/healthy_schools/hs/state.php?state=North%20Carolina#Physical_Education
www.dpi.state.nc.us/curriculum/healthfulliving/
The Utah Department of Transportation Creates Software to Map Safe Routes to SchoolTo help students walk to school safely, the Utah Department of Transportation created software called the Student Neighborhood Access Plan (SNAP). Under Utah law, elementary and junior high schools are required to create a routing plan that informs students of the safest way to get to and from school. Schools can use SNAP software to create these safe routes and share them with students and their families. Make changes.
www.udot.utah.gov/kids/parent.php
Local
Delano Union School District Implements New Policy to Increase Physical Activity
The Delano Union School District in Delano, Calif., implemented a K to 8 standards-based PE curriculum and adopted a district-wide theme of “Healthy Minds and Healthy Bodies Lead to Success.” This initiative provided resources, such as PE equipment and staff development for teachers, and featured “Station PE,” a Web-based PE lesson plan and assessment site. It also created a Physical Education Resource Teacher position to develop collaborations among school and PE staff, and ensure that physical education across grades and schools is consistent, standards-based and interactive. In addition, the district implemented a new wellness policy with improved strategies for physical activity and nutrition, and it is developing a before-and after-school program to increase student physical activity.
www.nmsa.org/Advocacy/WellnessPolicy/SuccessStories/Delano/tabid/1100/Default.aspx
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