Happy and Healthy New Year!

The New Year often brings many resolutions to get healthy and fit. A well balanced diet is a great place to start. Try to eat three meals a day and healthy snacks. Do not give up your favorite food because it is unhealthy, practice moderation and make physical activity a regular part of your day. Here is a good website for you and your family for some additional healthy eating tips: www.myplate.gov

Set the standards for your whole family and make fun physical activity a regular part of your day. Choose activities your family can do together like walks around the block, bike riding, swimming, Frisbee, yoga, basketball etc, all of which have a positive impact of the components of health related fitness. The National Association for Sport and Physical Education recommends that children participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day, while the CDC recommends adults participate in at least 30 minutes a day. Participating in regular physical activity and demonstrating healthy eating habits will help you and your families build and maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. (Information adapted from www.aahperd.org) Phys. Ed. Updates Revised Grading Rubric - see the reverse side of this Newsletter. Some key highlights are: - Students are required to o Have a fitness journal in grade 2 – 6 o Wear sneakers (no snow boots, Uggs, rain boots are permitted) o Do physical activity outside of the regular school day Stingers Basketball – Wins first home game vs. P.S. 173 Upcoming Events - Family Game Night- April 1, 2012 more information to follow.

(Information adapted from www.aahperd.org)

Phys. Ed. Updates

Revised Grading Rubric - see the reverse side of this Newsletter.

Some key highlights are: - Students are required to

- Have a fitness journal in grade 2 – 6

- Wear sneakers (no snow boots, Uggs, rain boots are permitted)

- Do physical activity outside of the regular school day

Stingers Basketball – Wins first home game vs. P.S. 173

Upcoming Events - Family Game Night- April 1, 2012 more information to follow

American Alliance for a Healthier Generation

Like many other states, New York has seen its numbers of overweight or obese children continue to rise over the past ten years. New York’s 32.9 percent of overweight or obese children now exceeds the national average. Recognizing that directed action is needed to reverse this trend, New York schools are becoming increasingly involved in children’s health. Nearly 100 schools have made this commitment by joining the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program, which is funded through a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Sam’s Club Giving.

The Healthy Schools Program provides schools with a process to follow to improve their school health across the board from foods offered and physical activity to health education and staff wellness. Schools begin with establishing a school wellness council, then move into making specific changes such as offering more whole grains, eliminating fried food or providing sufficient recess time. The Healthy Schools Program recognizes that all schools are unique and there is no one size fits all approach when it comes to school health so every school creates an action plan that they believe will work for their community.

Nine New York schools received national recognition from the Healthy Schools Program at the Bronze level on June 13, 2011. Each recognized school has distinguished itself with healthy eating and physical activity programs and policies that meet or exceed stringent standards set by the Alliance’s Healthy Schools Program.

Last June, P.S.101Q earned a Bronze level National Recognition Award from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation for our efforts to build a healthy campus. We received the award at the Alliance’s Healthy Schools Program Forum in Little Rock, Arkansas. The Forum proved to be a great event; we met 274 other nationally recognized schools from around the country with whom we shared our stories, challenges and triumphs. We also had the opportunity to hear some great speakers, including President Clinton! '

Our success in getting students and staff to eat more nutritious foods and engage in more physical activity is thanks to the commitment of our entire school community. We’re excited to expand our work to ensure that a strong culture of health and wellness is part of the daily school experience.