| | | from the Headmaster An increasingly sedentary lifestyle among our youngsters coupled with diets rife with foods high in sugar, high in fat, and low in nutritional value are conspiring to produce a generation that is overweight and overwrought.
Over the past thirty years, statistics show that childhood obesity rates in America have tripled, and today nearly twenty percent of children in America are overweight or obese. At the same time, we are seeing a growing number of our children internalizing these and other struggles resulting in increased rates of depression and childhood anxiety.
How Did We Get Here? I read the following interesting set of observations from the website http://www.letsmove.gov: - Thirty years ago, most people led lives that kept them at a healthy weight. Kids walked to and from school every day . . . and played for hours after school before dinner. Meals were home-cooked with reasonable portion sizes, and there was always a vegetable on the plate. Eating fast food was rare and snacking between meals was an occasional treat.
- Today, children experience a very different lifestyle. Walks to and from school have been replaced by car and bus rides. Afternoons are now spent with TV, video games, and the Internet. Parents are busier than ever, and families eat fewer home-cooked meals. Snacking between meals is now commonplace.
- Portion sizes have also exploded- they are now two to five times bigger than they were in years past. Beverage portions have grown as well- in the mid-1970s, the average sugar-sweetened beverage was 13.6 ounces compared to today when children think nothing of drinking 20 ounces of sugar-sweetened beverages at a time.
- In total, we are now eating 31 percent more calories than we were forty years ago–including 56 percent more fats and oils and 14 percent more sugars and sweeteners. The average American now eats fifteen more pounds of sugar a year than in 1970.
Those of us in independent schools especially need to address these problems so that this generation of children doesn’t fall into the health traps of chronic depression or obesity-related health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and asthma.
Here at PS throughout each week and increasingly across the curriculum, the PE faculty and staff offer a wealth of opportunities to our students for learning about their lifelong health and wellness in an effort to counteract these cultural shifts.
Our evolving curriculum focuses on teaching our students to become responsible, healthy, and self-confident young people. The Health and Wellness Program addresses all dimensions of health, emphasizing on the importance of balance and individuality.
If we truly pride ourselves on a mission focused on “ . . . supporting and educating each child,” we must teach our students about health and wellness, reinforcing these values as critical for good living.
I encourage your family to come to our first Annual Registration and Wellness Fair on May 15, which should be another great event supporting Wellness at PS. Dr. Mark Carleton Click here to view previous Headmaster Highlights. You may be prompted to login. | | | Registration & WEllness Fair Tuesday, May 15, 2012 All new and current families (parents and students) are invited to our First Annual Registration and Wellness Fair. The purpose of this event is threefold. -
Complete and submit all required 2012-2013 School Forms -
Free physicals for all 2012-2013 PS athletes (6th - 8th grade) -
Raise community awareness about a variety of Wellness topics School Forms Registration
Palm Court
2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Wellness Fair & MS Athletic Physicals
Grand Hall
3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. READ MORE >> students learn about wellness Ann Horne, Director of P.E. and Wellness, has brought to the forefront topics of Wellness to our Prekindergarten-8th grade students. Wellness topics involve physical, relational, spiritual and mental wellness. During this school year, PreK-6th grade students have been participating in "Wellness Days" on each D letter school day. 7th-8th grade students have participated in a wellness elective rotation. Their class discussions have been enhanced by research projects and guest speakers. Students' knowledge of wellness is increasing- ask them about it! READ MORE >>
s.w.a.t
A new student leadership opportunity began this year through the Student Wellness Advisory Team (S.W.A.T.). Members of S.W.A.T. took the initiative to advise their fellow peers on wellness issues. S.W.A.T. met together to research a wellness issue to present in Lower and Middle School Assemblies. They chose to focus on "Backpack Safety" this semester. Nominated by their Homeroom teachers and advisors, the following 3rd-8th grade students served on S.W.A.T.: 3rd graders, Lily Mayo and Madeleine Rogers; 4th graders, Lauren Erasmus and Hannah Benstock; 5th graders, Olivia Mandola, Jackson Williams, Edward Clarke and Cullen Stewart; 6th graders, Paola Sagel, Mary Dade and Grace Graubart; 7th graders, David Minton, Christina Rockrise, Connor Watson and Abbey Rank; and 8th graders, Alex Lednicky, Brittney Reese, and Lerah Lockett. Wellness Tips 
Each month, School Nurse, Colleen Kimball shares some tips for parents pertaining to health and wellness. Wellness tips are posted in the Schoolwide Announcements box in the Parent Portal at the first week of each month.
Click here to view a past Wellness Tip of the Month. | |
