School Wellness Newsletter – APRIL 2022
Welcome back to our new monthly school wellness newsletter update! We invite school leaders, parents, students, and anyone interested in school wellness here in Hawai‘i to check out our newsletter that's jam-packed with upcoming events and opportunities as well as community and school highlights.
"What's New with Schools?" will also be featured in all our statewide newsletters so make sure you're signed up to receive the latest Blue Zones Project – Hawai‘i news!
EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
Kapolei-'Ewa Community Celebration
Kapolei-‘Ewa is celebrating becoming a Certified Blue Zones Community® during the month of April. If you’re on O’ahu, swing by Kapolei-‘Ewa and check out some of the fun events and activities they have planned each week. Plus, share your photos on social media for a chance to win prizes, including a prize pack from Hawaii Bicycling League! Learn more and watch the Kapolei-'Ewa Certification video to witness what the community has achieved over three years together.
Week 1: April 4-10 - Move Naturally
Week 2: April 11-17 - Connect
Week 3: April 18-24 - Right Outlook
Week 4: April 25-30 - Eat Wisely
Safe Routes to Schools
Do you have an idea to improve the safety of walking and biking around your K-8 school? The State of Hawaii, Department of Transportation (HDOT) is seeking applications to plan, develop, implement, and evaluate eligible Safe Routes to School (SRTS) non-infrastructure projects. It might include things like:
• Traffic education and enforcement in the vicinity of schools.
• Student sessions on bicycle and pedestrian safety, health, and environment.
• Funding for training, volunteers, and managers of SRTS programs.
Applications are due by May 13th, 2022. Learn more and download detailed instructions here.
Walk Bike and Roll to School
Speaking of walking and biking to school, registration is open for the national Walk and Roll to School Day! The official day is May 4th, but you can plan an event in Q4 at a time that works best for your school. Check out these Cycling Games for schools, each activity is ranked by age bracket. The website of the Danish organization that put the booklet together also has some fun videos of the games.
Kokua Hawaii Foundation Grant
The Kōkua Hawai’i Foundation Project Grant is available to assist teachers from Hawaiʻi schools in pursuing environmental stewardship endeavors and advancing their environmental goals in the classroom. The Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation offers financial assistance for schools whom otherwise could not afford items or services needed to reach these goals. Applications open May 1st, 2022 to prepare for the Fall
Professional Development Opportunity
IPA will be offering a PD for teachers focusing on student-led inquiry/PBL on June 15th and 16th from 8:00 am -1:00 pm. The cost for this Two-day workshop is only $25 and includes lunch, snacks and materials! Those interested in attending can find out more and register here.
Feeling the Stresses of War from Afar?
Just as many U.S. adults—even those without a personal connection to Ukraine—are feeling the stresses of war from afar. Children and teens may also be experiencing fear, frustration, and helplessness. The American Psychological Association offers strategies for discussing the conflict in age-appropriate ways with children and teens in this article.
Celebrate Earth Day
Join a FREE Earth Day Breakfast Class!
April 23, 2022
8:30 am - 9:15 am
REGISTER HERE
Young children and families are invited to a free class where a healthy Earth Day breakfast will be prepared using the activities from Kai and Hoku Explore the Foods of Hawaiʻi and the Farm to Keiki book.
BRIGHT SPOTS
What's happening in our schools to support wellness?
School Wellness Symposium
The Ka’u-Kea’au-Pahoa Complex Area is hosting a Schools Wellness Symposium on Friday, April 22nd. Participants from area schools will learn about the new E Ola Pono award, connect with community wellness resources, and have time to plan for the 2022-23 school year. Learn more!
School Wellness Summit
Waiakea High School students, Dasha Solomon, Shaneille Ramos and Paul Brilhante, organized a Youth Wellness Summit on Saturday, April 2nd, to showcase healthcare careers and healthy lifestyles. Students from high schools on the east side of Hawaii Island attended sessions provided by UHH School of Nursing, Daniel K. Inouye School of Pharmacy, John A. Burns School of Medicine, Hawai’i County Fire Department and others to learn about fitness, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automated external defibrillators (AED), suturing and other topics. The student organizers plan for this to become an annual event in East Hawai’i. Special thanks to event sponsors Community First, KTA, Hilo Medical Association Foundation and Blue Zones Project Hawaii.
Breath of Aloha Week
James Campbell High School’s VOCO Club is hosting a Breath of Aloha Week on April 18th to 22nd. This event is about celebrating appreciation with themed days coordinated by various school clubs and community organizations.
Have a success story to share? Email Megan.Yarberry@sharecare.com and you could be featured in our next newsletter!
Join the Well-Being Movement!
Email our team to learn more about partnering with us to make healthy choices easier at your worksite, school, grocery store, restaurant, or faith-based organization.
Check out all participating organizations.
Sign up to receive community updates!
Learn more at www.bzphawaii.com
