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SUPTS. MEMO. NO. 16
January 29, 1999 |
| TO: | Division Superintendents |
| FROM: | Paul D. Stapleton
Superintendent of Public Instruction |
| SUBJECT: | Seminars on "Health and Learning: Twin Goals of American Education for the 21st Century" |
This memo is to inform school superintendents, school board members, and members of school health advisory boards about an upcoming training opportunity available at low cost to localities. The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), in collaboration with the National School Boards Association, American Association of School Administrators, Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA), American Heart Association, and American Cancer Society, invites school superintendents, school board members, and members of school health advisory boards to participate in a regional one-day seminar on "Health and Learning: Twin Goals of American Education for the 21st Century." VSBA Academy Credit is available for school board members who participate in this event. The five regional seminars are scheduled for Falls Church (February 16), Hampton (March 11), Richmond (March 25), Lynchburg (March 26), and Abingdon (May 4). Each session will address the direct links between a child's health and academic achievement, social responsibility, and personal success. On the attached registration form, please check your preference date and location. Fees for the seminar are minimal to encourage and assist decision makers in convening a team of participants from the local schools and communities. Seminar pre-registration is $20.00 per person with on-site registration set at $25.00 each. Please send registrations to the American Cancer Society at the designated mailing address or fax number indicated on the attached sheet. The regional sessions are offered as a result of evaluations from the one-day administrators' seminar held at Longwood College, July 9, 1998, on "Health and Learning: Twin Goals for American Education." Participants in the summer event co-sponsored by the VDOE, American Association of School Administrators, and 10 other organizations indicated this seminar should be provided for all school decision makers in Virginia and should be offered regionally. These sessions are designed to provide a shared seminar experience that can facilitate collaborative work among superintendents, school board members, and school health boards. Information about the event is provided on an attached seminar flyer, draft agenda, and registration form. Please duplicate the memo and attachments as needed and share them with others who might be interested. For additional seminar information, contact Dr. Fran Anthony Meyer, Comprehensive School Health Specialist, VDOE at 804/225-4543. For questions about registration, please call Mary Bannister, American Cancer Society 800/966-3586 or 804/572-3718. PDS/fam Attachments: A hard copy of this memo and its attach- ments will be sent to the superintendent's office. Health and Learning: Twin Goals of American Education for the 21st Century 1999 Decision Makers' Seminar Objectives The participants will: 1. strengthen their ability to make connections between health and academic achievement 2. define characteristics of a healthy adolescent learner 3. define the components of a coordinated school health program that support academic achievement, healthy choices, and development of personal and social responsibility 4. review selected research/theories that contribute to understanding the links between health and learning 5. view themselves as transformational leaders who understand pendulum swings in education and welcome differences of opinion 6. analyze case studies of typical situations involving interplay between health and learning and suggest appropriate policies and strategies to address the current problems 7. leave better able to promote coordinated school health programs as an instrument in achieving success in learning Presenter: Jacquelyn G. Sowers, M.Ed. The workshop leader is Jacquelyn G. Sowers, a consultant in human resource development, health promotion, and education with 35 years of experience at every level of schooling. She has worked with educators, parents, clergy, health professionals, and community leaders in 47 states and abroad toward the goal of developing healthier youth, families, schools, and communities. Within health education, she has expertise in adolescent and adult development, learning, and motivation; sexuality education, pregnancy, and STD/AIDS; violence prevention, substance abuse, and suicide; and the development of moral and ethical reasoning. She directed a national study of parent involvement in education and conducts a variety of seminars on health advocacy, goal setting, strategic planning, conflict resolution, and program implementation. Her workshops on teaching-learning strategies, motivation, the development of higher order thinking skills, adult-child communication, and conflict resolution have received national acclaim. She helped many school systems and communities facing controversy among people with diverse interests and values find the necessary common ground to act together in the best interests of children and their healthy futures. Health and Learning: Twin Goals of American Education for the 21st Century Decision Makers' Seminar (Tentative Agenda) 8:30-9:00 am On-site Registration 9:00-9:15 am Welcome/Introductions 9:15-9:30 am Framing the Seminar 9:30-10:30 am Keynote: Health and Learning: Twin Goals in American Education Links Between Health and Learning Barriers to Academic Achievement Health-risk Behaviors that Impair Learning Common Adult Responses: The Need to Go Beyond Characteristics of a Healthy Adolescent Learner Coordinated School Health Programs (CSHP): A Motivational Updraft for Academic Achievement The Bottom Line: Healthier Students, Increased Academic Achievement, More Socially Responsible Behavior, Healthier Communities 10:30-10:45 am Break 10:45-12:00 pm Highlighting Selected Research/Theories Underpinning a Coordinated School Health Program That Enhances Achievement Brain Functioning Influences on Brain Development and Learning Nutrition and Mental Development Physical Activity and Learning Social Cognitive Learning Risk and Protective Factors Asset Development Multiple Intelligences Emotional Intelligence Caring Communities Full Service Schools Others? 12:00-1:30 pm Lunch Health and Learning: Twin Goals of American Education for the 21st Century Decision Makers' Seminar (Tentative Agenda Continued) 1:30-2:30 pm Administrators: Leadership Challenges Tightrope Walking on a Routine Basis The Communication Continuum Skill Development and Guided Practice 2:30-2:45 pm Break 2:45-4:15 pm Proactive Leadership for Safe and Supportive Schools to Improve Student Performance: Discussion and Analysis Some Questions to Ask Emergent Issues What Do We Need? Who Can Help? Recommendations for Action 4:20-4:45 pm Insights and Outtakes 4:45 pm Session Evaluation 5:00 pm Have a Safe Trip Home!!! Seminar Registration Form Health and Learning: Twin Goals of American Education for the 21st Century" Pre-registration $20 per person On-site Registration $25 To make food and refreshments arrangements, pre-registrations must be postmarked by the due date indicated below. After the due date, registrations will be accepted at the on-site fee. The fee covers refreshment breaks, lunch, and resource materials. Please copy and share these materials with others interested in participating. Please type or print clearly: Name: ______________________________________________________ Title/Position: ____________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________ City/State/Zip Code: _______________________________________ School Division/Community: _________________________________ Please check your date/location preference: _____ Tuesday, February 16, 1999 - Fairview Park Marriott, Falls Church, pre-register by February 9 _____ Thursday, March 11, 1999 - Hampton Coliseum Hotel, Hampton, pre-register by March 4 _____ Thursday, March 25, 1999 - Holiday Inn Richmond Conference Center, Richmond, pre-register by March 18 _____ Friday, March 26, 1999 - Holiday Inn Select, Lynchburg, pre-register by March 19 _____ Tuesday, May 4, 1999 - Martha Washington Inn, Abingdon, pre-register by April 27 Upon receipt of your registration, you will receive a meeting confirmation and directions to the seminar site. There are a limited number of scholarships for a one overnight accommodation for those who live more than 60 miles from the seminar site. If you want to apply for the "overnight stay" dollars, please check here _____. VSBA Academy Credits are available for this seminar. (Over) Seminar Registration Form (Continued) Health and Learning: Twin Goals of American Education for the 21st Century" Pre-registration $20 per person On-site Registration $25 ____ Please check here and describe any dietary or physical limitations that need consideration. The American Cancer Society will handle registration for this collaborative event. Please make the check out to the "American Cancer Society: School Health Seminar." Mail the registration form and check to: Mary Bannister, Community Specialist American Cancer Society 4240 Park Place Court Glen Allen, VA 23060 Telephone: 800/966-3586 You may register by fax ONLY if you want to charge it to a Visa or MasterCard. Please complete the following information and fax the form to Mary Bannister at 804/527-3797: _____ Visa _____ MasterCard 16-digit credit card number: ____________ Expiration Date _____ Signature: __________________________________________________