RSU #16 Adopts New Tobacco Policy.

Although the rates of tobacco use has gone down over the past ten years, tobacco use is still the United States leading cause of preventable death. It is imperative for school districts to have a clearly defined policy that addresses prevention, intervention, and treatment.

The Wellness Committee reviewed the existing policy then drafted a new policy using guidelines that are established by The Partnership for a Tobacco Free Maine. Parent/Teacher Organizations in the three communities where provided an opportunity to review and provide feedback on the policy draft.

I am proud to announce that the School Board has accepted the updated policy and the PFTFM has decided to use the policy as a model for other districts in the State. The new policy will be posted on the district website and will be printed in the 2012 student handbook. Thank you to the Wellness Committee for you excellent work on this policy.

Staff Wellness

 

FITNESS CONDITIONING CLASS

What is a Boot Camp Conditioning Class: A fitness boot camp is type of group exercise class that mixes traditional calisthenic and body weight exercises with interval training and strength training. While there are a variety of styles of fitness boot camps, this class is designed in a way that pushes the participants harder than they'd push themselves and in the end, you will leave the class feeling exhilarated.

Instructor: BJ Grondin, NSCA-CSCS is a 2007 graduate from Poland Regional High School and went on to receive a B.S. in Exercise Science from the University of Maine. His experiences range from instructing fitness classes to serving as a personal trainer.

Cost: $5/class, payments are made the day of class. A 10 class punch card can be purchased at a discounted price of $40, any unused classes will be transferred to the winter program.

 

Class Time(s)/Location(s): Tuesday's from 3:30-4:30 in the Elm Street School Gym.

Thursday's from 3:30-4:30 in the Minot Consolidated School Gym.

Program Length: October 2011 – January 2012

 

Slim Down, Shape Up

Program Description: The Poland Regional High School Wellness Department, in coordination with the RSU #16 Wellness Committee, is sponsoring our "Slim Down, Shape Up" initiative. Students, staff, and community members are invited to sign up and participate in increasing their fitness level. Individuals or pairs can sign up in the competition to see who will best improve their body composition. See attached schedule for body composition assessment locations and dates. Note: submit $5 to Mr. Kramer at PRHS if you want to enter a Slim Down, Shape Up pool.

Registration: Click to Register

Monitor Your Daily Progress: Daily Activity and Food Intake Log

Body Composition Testing Locations: Nurses Office

• Monday: Poland Region High School
• Tuesday: Whittier Middle School
• Wednesday: Poland Community School
• Thursday: Elm Street School
• Friday: Minot Consolidated School

RSU #16 Adopting Coordinated School Health Model

A Coordinated School Health Program (CSHP) is a model that was designed through a collaborative effort between the Maine CDC and Maine Department of Education. A CSHP is a evidence based system designed to effectively connect health with education. A coordinated approach to school health works to improve students’ health and their capacity to learn through the support of families, communities, and schools working together.

Eight Equally Important Components of a CSHP 

•     Comprehensive School Health Education: K-12 health education curriculum with scope and sequence that is sequential, and includes instruction and assessment that align with national standards.

•  Physical Education and Physical Activity:  Physical education classes that promote  active lifestyles, motor skill development, social interaction, and the introduction to life-long physical activities.

•   Physical Environment: Members are exposed to safe and aesthetically pleasing physical structures, ground facilitates, and and transportation services.

•   School Nutrition and Food Services: A sustained school nutrition environment that promotes and provides balanced and nutritious meals and snacks in the cafeteria, classroom, and school sponsored events.

•     School Counseling, Physical and Behavioral Health Services: Guidance and substance abuse services that meet the  needs of all members.

•    School Climate: A school atmosphere supported by programs and policies that fosters positive behavior, assures safety, and promotes wellness for all its members.

•  Health Promotion and Wellness for Staff: Work-site health programs that supports and encourages members with adopting a healthy lifestyle.

•   Youth, Family and Community Involvement: Collaborative work with groups integrating policies and programs to promote wellness.

Parents pledge to make homes smoke-free.

A 2006 U.S. Surgeon General's report stated that there is no safe level of secondhand smoke around children. Children are particularly at risk from the dangers of secondhand smoke because their lungs are still growing, increasing the likelihood of developing asthma, bronchitis, and allergies.

To increase community awareness of the dangers of secondhand smoke exposure, RSU #16 and Healthy Androscoggin worked collaboratively to design and implement a "Smoke Free Home Pledge" campaign that was presented at all RSU #16 schools during open house season. Parents and community members where provided relevant health information, as well as a portion of freshly grown local produce that was offered as an incentive for homes that pledged. 

At the end of the campaign, 152 homes in the community formally pledged to create or maintain an existing smoke free environment, many other homes verbally committed to not expose their children to secondhand smoke. The gracious donations from; Chipman Farms, Summit Springs Farm, and Verrill's Vegetable Stand helped make "Smoke Free Home Pledge" a success. Thank you local farms for taking an active role in the welfare of RSU #16 community members.