How to Create Healthy Schools

The Healthy Schools approach is a perspective that connects health with education. Any discussion about Healthy Schools should include health education, physical education and physical activity, nutrition services and foods and beverages available at school, health services, mental health and social services, healthy and safe school environment, family and community involvement, as well as faculty and staff health promotion.

The following steps demonstrate how to create healthy schools, and link to resources for Healthy Schools leaders.

Create and Sustain a School Healthy Advisory Committee (SHAC)

• Step 1: Personally learn about the Coordinated School Health approach.
  What is Coordinated School Health?
• Step 2: Get your principal involved and have them name a person responsible for coordinating school health and safety programs and activities.
  What can principals do?
• Step 3: Get key school health stakeholders at the table and form a School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC).
  How do I involve families and communities?
  How do I create a SHAC?

• Bonus: Provide professional development for your team on the Coordinated School Health approach.
  Who can I contact for more information about professional development?

Explore the Well-being of Your School Community Using the
School Health Index (SHI)

• Step 1:The School Health Advisory Committee completes a school health-focused self-assessment such as the SHI.
  What school health assessment tools are available?
• Step 2: Identify and review your school district wellness policy (which addresses nutrition and physical activity), as well as any policies addressing topics in step 3.
  How can I find my district's wellness policy?

• Step 3: Identify and review your school improvement plan so that you can include health education, physical education and physical activity, nutrition services and foods and beverages available at school, health services, mental health and social services, healthy and safe school environment, family and community involvement, as well as faculty and staff health promotion.
  How can I find out more about school improvement efforts?

Infuse Coordinated School Health into Your School Improvement
Planning (SIP) Efforts

• Step 1: Assure that your SIP Team understands the Healthy Schools approach and that the team’s view of academic improvement includes the needs of the whole child.
• Step 2:Identify and disseminate the data and resources available to meet the learning needs and ensure the health and well-being of all students.
  What school health data is available in Washington?

• Step 3: Assure that school improvement activities and academic achievement address school health challenges and that the school measures school- and student- level health outcomes.