Category Archives: Health/Wellness

Schools: Want to start/expand a garden? Apply for a grant!

Does your school want to start a garden or expand an existing one? The National Gardening Association is taking applications for Youth Garden Grants!

Interested schools must fill out an application that details how many children will participate in the garden program, if the school’s garden program faces any special needs or challenges, the educational goals of the garden, and more. Schools can visit this website see all of the questions they need to answer before they begin filling out the application. Continue reading →

Experience the benefits of yoga on Nov. 7

About 25,000 students in 51 HISD schools participate in yoga-style classes twice a week, and on Nov. 7 you can get a taste of the program that’s helping students personally and academically.

The Wanderlust 108 Festival features a large-scale, 90-minute yoga class and guided mindfulness exercise led by top teachers. There will also be a 5k run, musical performances, and more.

The event, which will be held at Buffalo Bayou Park from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., normally commands a $60 entry fee, but HISD parents can get an 83 percent discount! Visit this website and use the code “sonimalove” to get a reduced price of $10. Students can get in for free by using the code “HISD.” (Note: You will need to make separate transactions to use both discount codes.)

HISD has partnered with the Sonima Foundation since 2013. The yoga-style classes held in 51 campuses include stretching, relaxation techniques, and lessons about nutrition. The curriculum is designed to minimize stress, reduce bullying and violence, increase attendance, and improve academic performance. By the 2018–2019 school year, the district plans to have the program in place at 273 schools.

Nutrition Services adds more fresh fruits and vegetables to menu

Fresh fruit and vegetables story

DeChaumes Elementary School students enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables at lunch.

USDA’s MyPlate recommends children eat three and a half cups of fruits and vegetables daily, and the fresher they are, the more nutrients they contain. HISD Nutrition Services is offering healthier choices for students by adding more fresh fruits and vegetables to school menus.

“We want to offer more varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables to get the students excited about eating healthy foods at school,” said HISD Dietitian Amanda Oceguera. “It was rewarding to see the students’ positive reactions to our Texas-grown watermelon, and we plan to continue offering more items like it.”

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Woodson K–8 awarded $100,000 Fitness Center by national foundation

Students at Woodson K–8 are exercising their bodies as well as their brains thanks to a brand-new, state-of-the-art fitness center awarded to them by the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils (NFGFC) and funded in part by Coca-Cola and Nike. The Live Positively fitness center was awarded to approximately three schools in each state for showing innovation in their fitness and nutrition programs.

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“I was a fat kid with a stutter growing up, and my dad bought me a set of weights.” said Jake ‘Body By Jake’ Steinfeld, chairman and spokesperson for the program. “Not only did weights build my body, but they built my confidence and self-esteem.”

Studies have shown that physical activity improves academic achievement and reduces discipline problems and absenteeism. The NFGFC hopes to build a nation of the fittest, healthiest kids in the world. Continue reading →

Nutrition Services awarded second Oliver Foundation grant

Dietitian Jennifer Griffin Lengyel advices a parent during a community outreach event at Elrod Elementary School.

Dietitian Jennifer Griffin Lengyel advices a parent during a community outreach event at Elrod Elementary School.

HISD Nutrition Services has been awarded a second grant from the Oliver Foundation, a local organization dedicated to preventing childhood obesity. The award will help the department to promote, educate, and encourage HISD students to adopt healthy eating habits.

Nutrition Services received $3,000 from the Oliver Foundation last October and partnered with Davis High School’s culinary program to teach nutrition education to fellow students. The Oliver Foundation awarded $5,000 this year to Nutrition Services to continue its efforts.

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Westside HS wins national ‘Cooking Up Change’ competition

Westside HS students Jalien Noel, Jose Acosta, and Briseida Salas hoist the trophy in victory with Chef Reggie Martin and Ray Danilowicz

Westside HS students Jalien Noel, Jose Acosta, and Briseida Salas hoist the trophy in victory with Chef Reggie Martin and Ray Danilowicz

When the heat was turned up, the Westside High School’s Culinary Arts Program team stayed cool under pressure, taking home first place at the Cooking Up Change National Finals on Monday in Washington, D.C.

Students Jose Acosta, Jalien Noel, and Briseida Salas, working under the direction of Westside Chef Reggie Martin, wowed the judges with a menu that highlighted different flavors from the Bayou City: cowboy Cajun chicken lollipop, twisted Texas cabbage and collard greens, and a pineapple tart.

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HISD announces Nurses of the Year at ‘Excellence in Nursing’ celebration

L-R are School Nurses of the Year for 2015: Cynthia Tanner (Walnut Bend ES), Evelyn Skinner (Osborne ES), and Majorie Robinson-Vaval (Worthing HS).

L-R are School Nurses of the Year for 2015: Cynthia Tanner (Walnut Bend ES), Evelyn Skinner (Osborne ES), and Majorie Robinson-Vaval (Worthing HS).

HISD’s Health and Medical Services department recognized almost two dozen campus and district healthcare workers on May 15, during a districtwide tribute to “Excellence in Nursing.”

Among those honored were the district’s Nurses of the Year for 2015: Worthing High School’s Majorie Robinson-Vaval at the secondary level — and, in a first for the district, both Evelyn Skinner from Osborne and Cynthia Tanner from Walnut Bend, who tied for the top prize at the elementary level.

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Submit nominations for HISD School Nurse of the Year by April 17

Do you know a great nurse at a Houston ISD school? Nominate him or her for the district’s 2014-2015 School Nurse of the Year award!

Nominees must have at least five years of experience as a school nurse and spend at least 50 percent of their time caring directly for students.

Anyone can make a nomination by submitting a form (.pdf) and a letter of support. Applications are due by April 17.

The nominee will need to submit his or her resume, a PowerPoint of no more than 10 slides that includes photos of them interacting with students, an essay describing their personal strengths, and letters of recommendation.

For more information, contact the Health and Medical Services department at 713-556-7280. Also see this related flyer (.pdf) on five ways nurse benefit schools.

HISD, Sonima Foundation celebrate expansion of student wellness program

Curriculum is now being offered to 14,000 students at 26 campuses

Representatives from HISD and the Sonima Foundation celebrated the expansion of their health and wellness program at Sherman Elementary School on April 7.

The curriculum is now being offered to more than 14,000 students at 26 HISD schools. The program’s yoga-based exercises, mindfulness practices, and nutrition education promote student health and stress reduction.

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Presentation inspires librarian to expand lesson on good nutrition

A simple lesson on heart-healthy eating recently has inspired one HISD educator to take students’ instruction a step further.

More than 1,300 HISD students at four elementary schools learned how to keep their hearts healthy during American Heart Month, thanks to a series of interactive nutrition activities offered by the district’s Nutrition Services department.

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