How to Deal with Bullying

Everyone has been bullied at one time or another.  It is cruel and must be stopped.  In bullying, there is a clear power difference between the bully and the victim. Bullying can be calling someone names, starting a rumor, excluding someone from a group, physically harming someone, or taunting someone online. Follow after the jump to read what you can do to reduce bullying at your school:

• Kids, when you see bullying happen, tell an adult.
• If someone bullies you, look them in the eye and say "Stop.  I don't like it.  Leave me alone" then tell an adult.
• Ask your school if they have a bullying policy (Central does).
• Parents, if you suspect your child is being bullied, tell the school administration.  Listen to your child and suggest ways to avoid confrontation.
• Record bullying events when they happen.  Include date, time and place.
• Work with teachers, students, parents and administrators to solve the problem.

(Adapted from "A Bullying Primer for Central Community School", 2010)

"Waiting For Superman": A Movie About the Importance of Great Teachers

TakePart: Participant Media - Waiting For 'Superman' - Infographic from Jr.canest on Vimeo.

"Waiting for Superman" debuted in Vancouver at the VIFF.  The filmmakers show the magical effect of great teachers on students.  Great teachers help students achieve their dreams and strengthen communities.  This video clip shows the possibilities if we support each child's educational goals.

Will There Be a Bike Share Program in Port Coquitlam, Too?

Via City of Vancouver

Recently, Vancouver residents saw a demonstration of a bike share program from Montreal called Bixi.  Bike stations located all across Montreal provide the public with affordable rental bikes for short trips usually between 5 and 30 minutes in length.  Bike share programs help calm traffic and boost physical activity.  Vancouver city officials are planning to create a similar program here in the Lower Mainland.  Problems with other systems that must be solved include theft, damage, and cycling safety in the city.  Cycling is a great way to stay fit, keep active, and improve health.  Let's hope Port Coquitlam jumps on the bandwagon, too!  We already have bike lanes!

17 Ideas for Healthy Eating

 Via OpenIDEO

IDEO, an Internet design company, worked with chef Jamie Oliver and all their users to answer the question: "How can we raise kids' awareness of the benefits of fresh food so they can make better choices?"  192 suggestions were made.  The top 17 ideas were made into a free downloadable PDF document available here.  The ideas run from creating healthy recipe cards to conducting a veggie circus.  One of the suggestions is "Tasting Classes", which happen regularly in Ms. Reese's Grade 3 Class here at Central!

Lunch is a Health Issue

Via TED

Although we do not have a lunch program in schools in Canada, we have much to learn from this video.  Ann Cooper talks about how we should think of food as a health issue.  She argues that we should spend more money and direct more attention to the health of our children in schools.

How to Make Exercise Fun

The Fun Theory is a Swedish group who believe that something as "simple as fun is the easiest way to change people’s behavior for the better."  If the stairs were this fun, no one would take the escalator.

12 Ways to Make Healthy Lunch Choices Easier

Via The New York Times

This week in The New York Times, university professors re-designed the school lunch line.  The goal of the project was to improve students' healthy decision-making. The professors made nutritious options more attractive than unhealthy options.  Many of the same rules can be applied at home to help kids learn to make healthy decisions.  Click here for the full article and infographic.

Why Service Learning is Needed

 Dr. Jim Kielsmeier via GOOD

In this interview, GOOD speaks to Dr. Jim Kielsmeier, founder and CEO of the National Youth Leadership Council.  He talks about how service learning connects what students are learning in school with community projects.  Studies show that students learn better with hands-on experience.  Service learning also decreases drop-out rates by engaging students. Click here for the interview.

Should Advertisements Be Allowed in Schools?

Via David Brewster of the Star Tribune

In Minneapolis - St. Paul, Minnesota, school officials are deciding to cover 10% of school spaces (walls, ceilings, floors, and lockers) with advertising.  The one-year trial will bring nearly $200 000 to the school district.  School officials defend their decision, saying that as long as the ads do not affect learning, they will keep them.  The school will be able to turn down ads deemed not suitable for kids.

How does advertising in schools affect students' self-image and health?  Should school officials take more into their decision-making than advertising's effects on learning?  The funds from the advertising amount to just over $25.00 per student.  Is this enough?  Is the bottom-line too important to schools?  Does turning to advertising show that schools need more money from governments?

Where is the Port Coquitlam Farmer's Market?

Via Port Coquitlam Farmer's Market

The Port Coquitlam Farmer's Market is a great place to purchase fresh, local produce, food items, and crafts.  It is also a great place to experience the culture of Port Coquitlam through arts events.

The market is located at 2252 Leigh Square in Port Coquitlam, BC, V3C 3B8.  The market runs every Thursday from 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. from May 20 to September 16.

Find a map here

During the winter, local produce can be found at the Port Moody Farmer's Market located at the Port Moody Recreation Centre.  The winter market runs starting from November 2010 every other Sunday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Find a map here

How to Build Exercise into Your Day: Cycling

Building cycling paths in a community is a sure way to motivate people to embrace daily exercise.  Cycling, walking, rollerblading, and running improve heart and lung health and aid in weight loss when combined with a healthy diet.

In 2007, the City of Port Coquitlam adopted a "Master Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan".  Since then, cycling paths, bike-accessible crossing signals, signed cycling routes, and multi-use paths have been built to encourage residents to use alternate forms of transportation.

Cycling safely to and from school, work, and the grocery store helps to improve fitness.  Building physical activity into your day increases the chances that you will stick with your plan.

Click here to plan your daily route using non-motorized transit.

Should We Use Fear to Fight Obesity?

Break The Habit - Spec TVC from The Precinct on Vimeo

This controversial Public Service Announcement (PSA) uses fear to shake people into healthy eating. Perhaps this PSA could have explained why people eat junk food in the first place or explained the benefits of eating a balanced diet. What do you think? Does it make you want to eat a salad? What could make this PSA better? Or do you like it the way it is?

How Should We Teach the Leaders of Tomorrow?

Sir Ken Robinson is a world-famous education and creativity expert.  Here, he talks about teaching "one answer" versus "many answer" thinking. He argues that to teach the leaders of tomorrow, we must develop critical thinking and creativity within the public school system. Tomorrow's leaders will have to be well-equipped to help address future health and environmental concerns. See the very inspiring animated clip above.

Gourmet School Lunches in France

Via CBS News

Due to budget cuts and issues with food preparation, many schools in British Columbia find it difficult to provide lunches to students.  Centennial Secondary School in Coquitlam runs a centralized food program and delivers meals to students in the district.

In France, students in public schools are offered a gourmet school lunch program costing between $2.50 and $6.00 (USD) per meal.  Families in need pay what they can and the rest is paid for by the government.  The program, run out of centralized kitchens, employs some very successful chefs as seen in the clip above.

Welcome to The Central Elementary Healthy Community Blog

Welcome! The purpose of this blog is to connect parents, educators, staff and community members to resources and relevant current events focusing on "building a healthy community school".  Central Elementary already offers many programs for the community but is constantly evolving to meet new needs and adapt to new challenges.  I hope you enjoy this site and the dialogue it creates. I also hope it inspires you to imagine creative ways to integrate the wide definition of public health into the school community.

This blog was created in the fall semester of 2010 by parties involved with the Health Sciences 349: Community Health Services class that links Port Coquitlam's Central Elementary Community School with Simon Fraser University students.