The 2006 Steps Youth Survey
In conjunction with the Steps to a Healthier PA Initiative, all three Steps communities located in Pennsylvania have been asked to participate in the Steps Youth Survey which is a shortened version of the National Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System survey that is conducted nationally. Steps to a Healthier Fayette County is currently scheduling dates and times with all six of the Fayette County High Schools and Junior High East and West in the Connellsville Area School District to conduct the survey.
The survey is a simple 38 question survey that will be administered to a randomized sample of classes in each of the county high schools and will ask questions pertaining to height and weight, tobacco use, fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity habits. Once the information is collected and tabulated Steps to a Healthier Fayette County and the area school districts will be able to see a clearer picture of the health habits of our adolescents throughout the county. The information should prove to be invaluable when it comes to applying for grants and using the information to measure both Steps to a Healthier Fayette County's efforts and the efforts put forth by the schools on providing healthier learning environments for area students.
For Further information reagarding the Youth Survey or other Steps Initiatives please contact Ben at 724-439-1484 or email at beneneil@verizon.net
2006-2007 School Wellness Highlights:
Albert Gallatin School District: Several schools in the Albert Gallatin School District are implementing Daily walking programs and promoting more physical activity through the Take 10 curriculum. Parent nights have been offered that centered around both physical activity and nutritious eating habits. Their annual health fair is coming up in April and Kudos goes to Smithfield Elementary School for commiting to an afterschool Yoga program sponsored by Steps and the Local Uniontown Area YMCA for staff, students and parents alike.
Brownsville School District: Just like last spring the Brownsville Parent Advisory COuncil will be hosting a Family Night Out in March with an emphasis on physical activity that will have activities sponsored by Steps and the Uniotown YMCA. There are 4 iPod nanos that will be given away through a drawing avaiolable to anyoneo ver the age of 18 who attends. Also Cardale Elementary School in Republic is in the pocess of planning a School HEalth Fair at the School to be held in April. ACtivities are being planned for the students during the school day and a seperate event for parents after school with health screenings and information provided by various Steps partners and local organizations.
Connellsville Area School District: Six Connellsville schools participated in the Power Up program offered through Adagio Health. Power Up provides nutrition education to students on an ongoing basis through the PA Nutrition Education Program. Students are learning the importance of living a healthy lifestyle from a Registered Dietitian..
Frazier School District: Teachers and administration from Frazier school district attended a PE 4 Life training at Titusville School District. The district is working on a new plan to encourage their students to develop lifelong physical activity habits .
Laurel Highlands School District: Laurel Highlands High School was the recipient of the Steps Heart Rate Monitor Program. Physical Education teacher Wendy Craft is introducing the use of heart rate monitors into high school physical education classes . The heart rate monitors will provide both the students and teacher with ongoing feedback from each exercise session. As a result, teachers will be able to grade students on individual progress.
Uniontown Area School District: Students at Ben Franklin School engaged over 200 people including their parents and peers in health education at a Family Night Out. With assistance from the Steps program, the night was designed to kick-off the schools commitment to the district wellness policy and involve parents in the health of their children.