Health Annotations by Amy Flecknoe

Mental and Emotional Health

amytflecknoe — 2024-09-16 13:56:28 UTC

This article on Mental and Emotional Health from PBS touches on the nations student population showing an increase in mental health concerns. Mental health concerns are rapidly growing especially after the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in an unfortunate spike of suicides in students. The article also touches on new plans in place to better respond to growing mental health needs. This can be addressed in the classroom with the addition of adequate resources provided to the students. Teachers can help by providing a safe place for students to feel comfortable speaking about their feelings and by providing additional help and resources where needed.

Potter, S. (2024, January 16). Student-led network helps address shortage of mental health professionals in schools. PBS. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/student-led-network-helps-address-shortage-of-mental-health-professionals-in-schools

Healthy Eating

amytflecknoe — 2024-09-16 13:56:36 UTC

This article on Healthy eating from ABC describes how the company Lunchables announced they are preparing to provide ready to eat lunchable meals to students by putting them in school cafeterias all over. There has been changes made with improved nutrition that complies with the National School Lunch Program requirements. This change reduced added sugars and sodium greatly over several school years. This pertains to teaching health because not only does this directly correlate to the students, but it allows teachers to address the importance of healthy eating. Teachers can discuss sodium and sugars within eating meals. This is important for teachers to know, because students, especially in the school, need to have healthy and nutritious meals in order to stay concentrated and ready to learn. Knowing the standards for students school lunches can help in the long run.

Kavilanz, P. (2023, March 15). Lunchables to begin serving meals in school cafeterias as part of New Government Program. 6abc Philadelphia. https://6abc.com/lunchables-government-program-school-cafeterias-healthy/12951091/

Death, Grief and Loss

amytflecknoe — 2024-09-16 13:56:56 UTC

This article on Grief and loss from CBS News, describes a unique way of approaching grief and loss after dealing with several unexpected deaths over the past few months. Valentine and Floy created a summer grief camp for children to not be afraid to talk about these things. Whether children are going through a death or even a divorce, every child has a story. The camp makes sure to use real language to the children and support the kids by walking through their pain rather than pushing it aside. This can be addressed in the whole school, not only the classroom with whole grade assemblies and by fostering a welcoming environment to make sure students feel comfortable and safe enough to talk about these difficult things. Teachers can have one on one check ins with each student to build a relationship with them. Teachers can also ask the guidance counselor to come in for a brief talk to the class, or even host a meeting with children during lunch to talk about problems in a safe place.

Littlefield, S.-E. (2024, August 25). Owatonna hosts summer camp to help children deal with grief. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/owatonna-grief-camp/?intcid=CNM-00-10abd1h

Personal Health and Wellness

amytflecknoe — 2024-09-16 13:57:07 UTC

This article on personal wellness from CBS News talks about a studio where they empower women through healing and self care. It is proved that yoga, meditation and sound bath classes are just few of many ways to combat trauma, stress and anxiety. There are many classes to choose from at this studio that helps women deal with the hard balance of everything on their plate and is proven to work. This can be addressed in the classroom in many ways. During a morning meeting, there can be time for a mindful minute which can include yoga poses or meditation for the students to begin their day with. This can be essential for teachers to know because something so quick and seemingly so simple, can drastically change the behaviors of many students in your classroom because of their calming start to their school day.

Zizaza, N. (2024, March 22). This Baltimore Wellness Studio is empowering women through healing and self-care. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/this-baltimore-wellness-studio-is-empowering-women-through-healing-and-self-care/?intcid=CNM-00-10abd1h

Intentional Injury and Violence

amytflecknoe — 2024-09-16 13:58:03 UTC

This article on intentional injury and violence from NPR describes the implementation of multiple different safety and mental health resources for schools affected by gun violence. Firearms contributed to the deaths of children and teens more than any injury or illness. Causing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, many educators believe their sole responsibility at all times is to make sure students feel safe and can let their guard down. This is a fairly difficult topic to address in the classroom because of how real and raw these events are but needs to be done. Teachers can address ways to stay safe, precautions and procedures and mainly make sure students know they are safe. This is essential for teachers to know because, how awful it is to say, this is a lot of peoples reality on a random tuesday and not only do the teachers need to know how to handle the situation, so do our students.

NPR. (2024, April 19). Where gun violence is common, some students say physical safety is a top concern. NPR. https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1243881326

Preventing Alcohol and Drug Use

amytflecknoe — 2024-09-16 13:58:29 UTC

This article on Preventing Alcohol and Drug Use from NPR discuss real life experiences of teens and talks about different ways to support prevention of alcohol and drug use with students. A high school implemented a course called safety first which encourages students to abstain from drug use while providing them the most accurate information to reduce risk of addiction. The use of activities are crucial for this kind of course because lectures can only do so much. This pertains to teaching health in school because as the years go on, more and more students begin to get their hands on drugs at younger and younger ages. This is essential for teachers to understand symptoms and information on because the students are constantly in the hands of the teacher throughout the day and seeing or hearing something so little can point to signs of using drugs. Teachers can continue to learn about this topic and try and implement strategies and support systems for students.

Gaines, L. V., & Cohen, N. (2023, December 19). “just say no” didn’t actually protect students from drugs. here’s what could. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2023/11/09/1211217460/fentanyl-drug-education-dare

Trauma

amytflecknoe — 2024-09-16 13:58:35 UTC

In this article on Trauma from NPR describes how two sisters find different ways to deal with their childhood trauma. The two sisters unfortunately dealt with experiencing being sexually assaulted by the same perpetrator. They both remember very different things and bits and pieces of what happened, which is normal since there is a lot to unpack. They both got an opportunity to coreograph a full length dance, so they took that chance to play around with how memory can twist and morph and expressed their trauma through dance. This topic is a very tough topic to address in the classroom but it needs to be done so students can understand how to deal with trauma and what to do if they experience something along the lines. This pertains to teaching health because trauma affects your mental and physical health and can change the structure of ones brain. It is essential for teachers to know this information so they are better equipped for how to handle students who are experiencing trauma, what to do when a student tells you about something, and explaining to students what the affects are of trauma. Teachers can provide many resources to students, parents and colleagues while making sure they are providing a safe space for students to feel comfortable to speak up.

Spitzer, G. (2024, April 3). After childhood trauma, sisters use art and science to explore how memory can morph. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2024/04/03/1242642114/after-childhood-trauma-sisters-use-art-and-science-to-explore-how-memory-can-mor

Physical Activity

amytflecknoe — 2024-09-18 18:07:26 UTC

In this article about Physical activity from CBS News explains how even the slightest movement can help improve your mental function and memory. The article shows how with lifelong physical activity, even just once a week, is associated with the best cognitive results. This include verbal memory, processing speed, higher cognition and more. Physical activity pertains to teaching health because when one is active, there are so many benefits. This topic can be addressed in a classroom by addressing ways to be active, benefits of being active and some issues that can come if you do not stay active. In the general classroom, teachers can introduce brain breaks that get students moving. This not only helps get the jitters out of the students, but also keeps their brain awake!

CBS Interactive. (n.d.). Get moving, any physical activity improves brain function, study found. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/get-moving-any-physical-activity-improves-brain-function-study-found/?intcid=CNM-00-10abd1h