wellness benchmarks. Wellness benchmarks for schools include things like creating a School Wellness Committee, incorporating physical activity energizers in the classroom, and implementing Smart Snacks. 

With support from the Louisiana Department of Education, Well-Ahead coordinates the Louisiana Healthy Schools Collaborative, a network of statewide partners working to support healthy schools. Join the conversation! Email Emily Pineda at Emily.Pineda@la.gov to receive meeting dates and updates. 

The next Healthy Schools Collaborative meeting will be on Wednesday, February 27 in Lafayette. Registration is closed. 

The Healthy Schools Training Krewe is a group of expert trainers that have joined forces to support healthier schools.  At no cost, the Krewe provides professional development to those working to create healthier schools. The mission of the group is to enhance the knowledge and skills of those working to create healthier schools by providing professional development to schools and school districts. Click here to request a workshop! 

UPCOMING Workshops

• March 1 - Smarter Lunchrooms, Ville Platte, LA

Trainer Highlight

K-Lynn McKey is a Healthy Schools Training Krewe trainer with an expertise in Physical Education and Health Education. She is has a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a Master of Science in Kinesiology. Recently, she was awarded the Taylor Dodson Young Professional Award from Louisiana Association of Health,  Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. 

Success Stories 

• In-Service Days Inspire Louisiana PE Teacher to Up Thier Game
• New PE Standards Spark Support from the Healthy Schools Training Krewe
• Professional Development Network Trains School Staff to Expand Wellness Opportunities 

The Louisiana Department of Education and Well-Ahead Louisiana have teamed up to support healthier schools with funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Team Nutrition Training Grant.

The three-year grant will allow the Louisiana Department of Education and Well-Ahead Louisiana to support healthier school environments that are conducive to healthy eating and physical activity through resources, funding and professional development to schools.

To learn more visit Louisiana Fit Kids or contact Well-Ahead's School Nutrition Educator, Stephanie Jodeir at Stephanie.Jodeir@la.gov. 

The Louisiana Department of Education and Well-Ahead Louisiana have teamed up to support healthier schools with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Healthy Schools Grant (DP18-1801).

The five-year grant will allow the Louisiana Department of Education and Well-Ahead Louisiana to improve student health and academic achievement through nutrition, physical activity and the management of chronic conditions in schools. 

Click here to learn more. 

A tobacco-free school environment encourages a healthier and more productive learning environment for Louisiana students.  Going tobacco-free reduces initiation of tobacco use among young people and lessens their exposure to secondhand smoke.  

Act 351 of the 2017 Legislative Session requires a review and potential update of all tobacco-free policies in schools throughout our state.  Check out the links below for a sample of a compliant tobacco-free policy, as well as sample language that will help you communicate your revised policy with your school board and school staff.  

• Sample Tobacco-Free Policy 
• Sample Language to Communicate Tobacco Policy Revisions 
  
  

Questions? Email wellahead@la.gov for additional assistance! 

Click the links below to find resources for school specifc WellSpot benchmarks.  

Tobacco-Free Policy
Building a Sustainable School Health Program
Improving the School Nutrition Environment
Increasing Physical Activity and Physical Education Opportunities 

There are a variety grants available to help schools implement health and wellness programs that can help your school become a place where kids learn to lead healthier lives, eat nutritious foods, are physically active and better prepared to learn each day. Get started today!

• Action for Healthy Kids' School Breakfast: Your school can introduce or expand a school breakfast program with grants for $1,000, $2,000, or $3,000. Whether it's breakfast in the classroom, grab-and-go breakfast, or another breakfast program, help your students start their day right. Applications are open from February 4 through April 5, 2019.

• Action for Healthy Kids' Game On: This grant provides funding and resources for schools to improve or introduce new nutrition and physical activity programs. With a $1,000 grant, you can build a school garden, get equipment for active recess, host taste tests, and other nutrition promotion, start a before- or after-school activity club, and more. Applications are open from February 4 through April 5, 2019.

• Action for Healthy Kids' Parents for Healthy Kids: Parents: Here’s your chance to make your mark on school health! Apply for a $1,000 parent-led school grant that will provide funds and resources to revamp or introduce fitness, nutrition, and other wellness programs so that all students have access to healthy choices. Stay tuned for application link and more information. Register for our parent-led school grant webinar on February 19, 2019, to learn more.

• Louisiana Environmental Education Commission (LEEC) Educator Grant: Based on sound scientific principles, have an environmental focus and be designed to directly impact Louisiana students (Maximum award: $1,000 for 1 teacher or $2,000 for a team). Click here to learn more.

• Louisiana Environmental Education Commission (LEEC) Green Schools Grants: Supports projects designed to reduce a school’s environmental impact, reduce health disparities that can aggravate achievement gaps, and engage students in hands-on learning. Proposals to be considered are those that align with pillars found in the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools Program (Maximum award: $5,000). Click here to learn more.

• Voices for Healthy Kids: The goal of the current grant opportunities is to make effective strategic investments in state, local and tribal public policy issue campaigns addressing school wellness, school food, and physical education. More information can be found here.

• Riding for Focus: This school-based program is designed to provide schools with everything they need to get middle school students riding, including a turnkey physical education curriculum, comprehensive teacher training, and a fleet of bike and safety equipment. Apply here.

• Louisiana Healthy Communities Coalition: The Louisiana Healthy Communities Coalition (LHCC) will provide mini-grants of $1000-$3000 to community-based organizations and coalitions working to affect health outcomes and disparities. Click here to download the application. For more information on technical assistance or for questions, contact mgianc@lsuhsc.edu.