Policies
Mississippi Public School Accountability Standards:
- Standard 17.5.1.
17.5.1 Each school has on file a school wellness policy developed by a local school health council that addresses the components of a coordinated school health and that has been approved by the local school board. - Standard 26
The basic curriculum of each high school consists of required and approved courses that generate at least 32½ Carnegie units annually. {MS Code 37-1-3(2)} (SB Policies 2902 and 2903) - Standard 27
The basic curriculum of each elementary or middle school (any configuration of grades K-8) consists of reading/language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, the arts, health education, and physical education, which may be taught by a regular classroom teacher. {MS Code 37-1-3(2) and 37-13-134}
Helpful Resource Links:
Health In Action Lesson Plan Website:
This database provides over 1300 lesson plans that incorporate health and physical education activities and can be used in academic classroom settings.
The Love Is Not Abuse Curriculum is a step-by step guide to teaching high school students about the issue of dating violence. Using literature and poetry, this program sponsored by Liz Claiborne Inc., provides teachers with the tools to teach about this sensitive subject and is intended to be taught in either Health or English/Language Arts classes.
Positive Action is an evidenced-based, positive youth development program that improves students' health, academic achievement, character, and social/emotional skills, while reducing problem behaviors, such as: bullying, violence and substance use. It has a PreK-12 sequential curriculum with kits for school-wide climate development, counselors, families, and community involvement. It's based on the intuitive, intrinsically motivating philosophy taught through six unit concepts, including positive actions for the whole self: physical, intellectual, social, and emotional areas.
Lessons from Literature is an innovative program that enlists English teachers to use the books and material already being taught to facilitate discussion and build awareness about physical, verbal and sexual abuse. Created by the Family Violence Prevention Fund, www.futureswithoutviolence.org, Lessons from Literature will extend and enrich the core literature curriculum while raising student awareness of the serious topic of abuse.
Developmental Health Indicators, Birth to 5:
A Guide for Parents & Childcare Workers
Healthy Newsletter Tidbits
Use these for morning health announcements at your school.
Child Safety Seat Tips:
Until they're tall enough to wear a properly positioned adult seat belt, kids will need to use a car safety seat. Using these seats, when they’re correctly installed, reduces fatal injuries in a car crash by 71 percent for infants and 54 percent for toddlers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). For more information please visit the Mississippi State Department of Health site regarding Car Safety Seat Recommendations at https://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/43,1489,98,112.html.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provides community tool kits, education programs, teaching strategies, read for fire safety materials, and information concerning grants and awards for public educators.
Coordinated School Health Implementation Resource
Centers for Disease and Control School Health Index (SHI) - The SHI is a self-assessment and planning tool that schools can use to improve their health and safety policies and programs. It's easy to use and completely confidential.
The School Health Profile, developed by the CDC, is a survey administered biennially to middle and high school principals and lead health education teachers to assess health policies and programs in states and large urban areas.