Industry Insider News: Your School Could Win $45,000 in Curriculum/Training/Equipment

Individuals, teams, and schools can now enter their video nominations for the nationwide Healthy School Makeover Contest. The winning school will receive $45,000 in curriculum, training and equipment for a comprehensive healthy school makeover.

The grand prize includes:

• SPARK: SPARK Curriculum and Training package, valued at $10,000
• Sportime: Equipment package aligned with SPARK program, valued at up to $9,000
• Healthy Kids Challenge: “Balance My Day” nutrition curriculum package and training, valued at $2,400
• AAHPERD/NASPE: Customized Lets Move in School training package valued at $4,500
• Skillastics: Two Let's Move in School Skillastics packages and training, valued at $2,000
• Healthy Lifestyle Choices: HLC Curriculum and Training package, valued at $5,500
• GenMove: Equipment, programming and training package valued at $3,300
• The First Tee: The First Tee National School Program curriculum, training and equipment, valued at $3,200
• Polar: Polar Active classroom pack, valued at $3,300
• ANNIKA Foundation: Annika Sorenstam to present grand prize to winner

The contest, managed by SPARK™, the provider of the world’s most-researched and field-tested physical education program and a division of School Specialty, asks nominees to submit a short video describing why they think their school needs a healthy school makeover. All entries must be received by October 31, 2012. The public will vote to determine the finalist from November 1, 2012 to November 14, 2012. A panel of judges will determine the winner and Hall of Fame golfer Annika Sorenstam will present the grand prize to the winning school.

To find out more about how you can win a ‘Healthy School Makeover Contest’, visit the website.

Spotlight: Classroom Safety

The Detroit Free Press online featured an article with tips from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) about how to avoid allergens and allergic reactions at school. ACAAI urges parents to tell their children to stay away from potential allergens, such as chalk dust, classroom pets, bees and wasps. They also urge students to pack lunch to avoid food allergens and to know the signs of allergic reactions.

With PublicSchoolWORKS’ Student Medical Emergencies course, teachers and administrators learn how to deal with medical emergencies, including food allergies and asthma. The course gives information about the symptoms of various student emergencies and provides step-by-step instructions for helping a student in distress. If you are interested in learning more about PublicSchoolWORKS’ Student Medical Emergencies course, call 1-877-779-6757.

What measures does your school take to protect students against allergens in the classroom? Share your comments with us on Twitter @PSWORKS.

READ MORE: http://www.freep.com/article/20120812/FEATURES08/308120053/1033/Features/How-avoid-an-allergic-reaction-when-heading-back-school

Spotlight: School Safety

A recent article on NBC 5 Chicago states that the Illinois Attorney General’s Office has created a special toolkit to help staff intervene in the event that a student should have an allergic reaction at school. The toolkit includes a blank prescription form for doctors, which allows the schools to stock EpiPens, and other resources for use with students. According to the article, the Attorney General feels that carrying these toolkits is not a substitute for students carrying their own EpiPens, but could potentially save a student’s life if he or she forgets to bring their own EpiPen to school.

Read More: http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/illinois-attorney-general-epipen-schools-166014256.html#ixzz23WifGh7T

PublicSchoolWORKS’ (PSW) Epinephrine Auto-Injector Use course educates school staff on how to administer the Epinephrine Auto-Injector. The course also provides step-by-step videos and other information on the different models of Epinephrine Auto-Injectors and how to properly administer those specific models in the event a student should need them. To learn more about how you can educate your staff to administer epinephrine injections to students, email sales@publicschoolworks.com.

Has your staff ever had to intervene in order to help a student? Share your story on our Facebook page.

September is National Food Safety Awareness Month

Administrators, teachers and students are back to school for the start of the new school year. While getting to know new students, it is important to note that September is National Food Safety Awareness Month. An important component of food safety is being aware of food allergies and how to handle allergic reactions. Reactions can range from mild to severe and may lead to potentially-fatal Anaphylaxis, possibly resulting in breathing difficulties, a drop in blood pressure, or shock. Having a staff that knows how to act in these situations could help save a student’s life.

With PublicSchoolWORKS’ Managing Food Allergies course, educators will learn how to recognize the symptoms of an allergic reaction and provide treatment and ways to reduce the risk of student exposure to food allergens. To find out more about this course, or about how you can ensure your staff is prepared to deal with food safety, email sales@publicschoolworks.com.