The District values the health and wellness of every student and promotes healthy eating programs, curriculum that support recreation programs and physical fitness and thoughtful relationships with others and supports character development and healthy lifestyle choices. The Healthy Schools Act of 2010 created a road map for schools to improve student health and nutrition. Sourcing more fresh produce into DC schools, reducing food waste and guaranteeing physical activity daily are all target of Sustainable DC, and can also develop longer-term habits for local and healthy lifestyles. Research shows that healthier eating can lead to improved educational outcomes, as well (CDC, 2014).
Lesson Plans: Consider utilizing one or more of the following curricula resources to teach about Student Health and Nutrition.
Nutrition and Gardening
- FoodPrints Curriculum Guide (Pre-K-Grade 5)
- City Sprouts (Pre-K-Grade 6)
- The Grade Garden Detective Adventure (Grades 3-4)
- Food Label Math Fun (Grades 3-5)
- Dig In! nutrition curriculum (Grades 5-6)
- Teaching Nutrition (Grades 6-8)
- Passing the Sugar (Grades 6-12)
- Food Span (Grades 9-12)
- Towards a Sustainable Agriculture (Grades 9-12)
Asthma and Physical Activity
- Out of Breath (Grades 3-5)
- Creating Model Lungs lesson (short or long version), used with How Do Lungs Work? video (Grades 3-5)
- The Heart of the Matter and The Beat Goes On (Grades 3-5)
- Energy In Energy Out (Grades 3-6)
- Washington Nationals baseball-themed STEM lessons (Grades 1-6)
Social and Emotional Learning
- Social Emotional Learning activities (Pre-K-Grade 1)
- Mindfulness-based Kindness Curriculum (Pre-K-Grade 1)
- Anti-Bullying Lesson Plans (Grades 6-12)
- Mindfulness Lesson Plans (Grades 6-12)
- Fight Flight Freeze: Anxiety Explained for Teens video (Grades 9-12)
Student Audits and Actions: Consider taking advantage of the following resources to address Student Health and Nutrition at your school.
- Evaluate school lunch foods and procurement: Food Audit or Smarter Lunchroom ScoreCard
- Advocating for Food Justice Forum
- Right to Recess
Celebratory Events: Consider bringing awareness to your school’s Students’ Health and Nutrition initiatives by celebrating these national/international awareness days at your school.
- Strawberries and Salad Green Day: early June
- STOMP Out Bullying: October
- Growing Healthy Schools Month: October
- World Food Day: Oct. 16
Teacher Resources: Consider taking advantage of the following resources to address Health and Nutrition.
General
- DC Healthy Schools Act, subsections for School Nutrition, Farm to School, Physical and Health Education, and Health and Wellness
- Whole School, Whole Community Whole Child (WSCC) Model
- CDC Healthy Schools Characteristics of an Effective Curriculum
- OSSE Health Education Standards
- DC Health Immunization Requirements
Nutrition and Gardening
- USDA Food and Nutrition
- DC Share table Guidelines
- OSSE Wellness and Nutrition school programs
- Nutrient claim reference charts
- DC Greens
- Washington Youth Garden
- US Botanical Garden
- City Blossoms
- Green Scheme
Asthma and Physical Activity
- Respiratory System Basics
- Asthma Education Curriculum for School Nurses and Other School Professionals (Grades K-8)
- Asthma Triggers
- Understanding and Learning About Students’ Health: Asthma
- Students’ Asthma Action Plan
- Physical Activity Tips for parents
- Let’s Move Active Schools
- Washington National baseball-themed STEM lessons (Grades 1-6)
Social and Emotional Learning
- Compassion Project
- Mindfulness activities
- Good Health and Wellbeing Sustainable Goals
Contacts: Consider reaching out to the following contacts regarding Health and Nutrition at your school.
- School Wellness Committee: Find out if your school has a wellness committee and what the committee is doing to help improve student and employee wellness
- DC Food Policy Council
- OSSE’s Division of Health and Wellness
Capital LEAF Links: