wellness day - march Tue. march 28th
The School Wellness Council organized MS54's 3rd Annual Wellness Day for our students on Tuesday, March 26th.
Click HERE for a list of our Wellness Partner Presenters
Click HERE for a list of our Wellness Partner Presenters
school wellness council (SWC) general info
In the fall of 2015, The School Leadership Team (SLT) created a new committee focusing on Wellness and Health. This committee is open to the entire school community: administrators, parents, teachers and staff. The mission of this committee is to work with the SLT to find ways to improve the focus on the physical, mental and social well-being of our students, in addition to improving the focus on health and nutrition.
If you would like to join the committee, please contact: wellness@MS54PTA.org.
MEETING DATES for 2019
All meetings take place in Room 133 at 8 AM
1/23, 2/13, 3/20, 4/17, 5/22, 6/12
If you would like to join the committee, please contact: wellness@MS54PTA.org.
MEETING DATES for 2019
All meetings take place in Room 133 at 8 AM
1/23, 2/13, 3/20, 4/17, 5/22, 6/12
Some of our initiatives include:
- Buddy Program pairing 6th and 8th graders
- Annual Wellness Day for our students
- Bringing a tai-chi master into classrooms to increase movement
6th / 8th Grade buddy program |
swc pictures |
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February 2019
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No One Eats Alone Day - Feb. 14th
6th/8th Grade Buddies
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SWC newsLETTER INFORMATION |
SWC Initiatives |
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SWC Message 6/14 Click HERE for tips from the National Safety Council on the dangers of distracted walking – specifically walking while using a mobile device.
SWC Message 5/24 - Mindfulness meditation may ease anxiety, mental stress - Click HERE for an article from the Harvard Medical School SWC Message 5/17 Here is Mental Health America's article about "Helpful vs. Harmful: Ways to Manage Emotions" SWC Message 5/10 This month the SWC is focused on mental health. The Association for Children's Mental Health (ACMH) provides information, support, resources, referral and advocacy for children and youth with mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders and their families. Click HERE for ACMH's information about problems at school due to mental health challenges. SWC Message 5/3 This month the SWC is focused on mental health. Click HERE for a video from the Child Mind Institute about the role sports play in the mental health of children. SWC Message 4/18 This week's wellness tip comes from Justine DiCostanzo, Booker T. parent, Pilates instructor/owner NYPilates and presenter for MS54's 3rd Annual Wellness Day. "In with the good air, out with the bad. Always oxygenate your body fully for a clearer mind, healthy body and bright focused spirit. Without air flow through our bodies, there are so many restrictions. Keep your mind focused on your task and breathe." SWC Message 4/12 - This month, we are focused on fitness. As parents, we want to encourage our kids to do a variety of activities that incorporate the three elements of fitness: endurance, strength and flexibility. To read more fitness advice for parents go to https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/exercise.html SWC Message 4/5 - This week's tip comes from our Wellness Day partner, Central Park Taekwondo: For basic self-defense, always use your awareness to avoid conflict. When in doubt, keep your hands up and use your voice. Your hands create a physical barrier and your voice can be used as a deterrent and to call for help. SWC Message 3/15- Click here to read the article "THE MAGIC AND MISHAPS OF TWEENS: UNDERSTANDING THE ERA OF SOCIAL AWARENESS AND SOCIAL ANXIETY" SWC Message 3/8 - Social awareness is understanding and respecting the perspectives of others, and applying this knowledge to social interactions with people from diverse backgrounds. Help your child build social awareness with these tips for 6th, 7th and 8th Graders SWC Message 2/15 - No One Eats Alone Day is Feb. 14th Click https://www.nooneeatsalone.org/ for more information. SWC Message 2/1 - Regular meditation more beneficial than vacation! Click HERE to read this article from the Harvard Health Blog SWC Message 1/25 - National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week is Jan. 22 - 27th Click HERE to read about how Positive Parenting Prevents Drug Abuse SWC Message 1/15 - National Drug & Alcohol Facts Weeks Click HERE to read about how Positive Parenting Prevents Drug Abuse SWC Message 1/18 - Dealing with Stress Here are two sites with guidance and helpful tips for your children to deal with stress https://www.apa.org/helpcenter/stress-teens.aspx https://www.understood.org/en/friends-feelings/managing-feelings/stress-anxiety/10-ways-to-help-your-middle-or-high-schooler-manage-stress#slide-11 SWC Message 1/11- MINDFULNESS Click HERE for a video called "Release" about students' feelings of stress in Middle School and one way to release it (mindful meditation). Click HERE for an article containing mindfulness activities and exercises that can help children's quality of life. SWC Message 1/4 - SLEEP
SWC Message 12/14 - Summary of Teacher Lunch Wellness Discussion
On Friday, Nov. 16th, the School Wellness Council sponsored a teacher lunch to discuss wellness issues in our school. Click HERE to read a summary of the meeting which includes suggestions for parents. SWC Message 11/30 - HUNGER AWARENESS
The SWC is focused on awareness of the hunger and homelessness in our community. Here are a few local organizations where you can donate food, money or volunteer to help: Food Bank for NYC West Side Campaign Against Hunger SWC Message 11/2 - SUGAR The 6th graders are beginning to study macromolecules essential to cells. One macromolecule is carbohydrates, which include sugars. Find out more about sugars and our diet with these links. American HeartAsssoication - Sugar 101 World Health Organization call to reduce sugar intake SWC REMINDER 10/26 - FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AVAILABLE AT MS54
Every day the MS54 cafeteria has fresh fruit and a salad bar available to all students at lunch. Remind your student to seek out these nutritious foods.
SWC REMINDER 10/19 - FLU SHOTS AVAILABLE IN SCHOOL WITH THE RYAN HEALTH CENTER
It is still possible to submit the health form authorizing the Ryan Health Center to give your student a flu shot. If you need another form, please call 212-666-2261 SWC Message 10/5 - SEASONAL EATING / GREENMARKETS Seasonal food can be fresher, tastier and more nutritious than food consumed out of season. We are fortunte to have many greenmarkets in the area that provide seasonal produce from local farmers. 97th Street Greenmarket Fridays 8 am -3 pm (97th Street between Columbus & Amsterdam) 79th Street Greenmarket Sundays 9 - 5 pm (Columbus between 77th and 81st Street) Tucker Square Greenmarket Thursdays & Saturdays 8 - 5 pm (West 66th Street and Broadway) Click HERE for the harvest calendar to see what fruits and vegetables are being harvested in October and throughout the year! SWC 9/28 Message - NUTRITION We all know the benefits of healthy eating but it's not always easy to figure out what to cook for our families that is delicious as well as nutritious. Here are two websites from young chefs who have lots of nutritious recipes ideas - https://www.fitmittenkitchen.com/and https://www.bakerita.com/ |
Healthy Non-food Rewards
The SCW encourages healthy eating and non-food rewards in the classroom.
Fitness Breaks at SchoolThe SWC has encouraged teachers to incorporate movements breaks in the classroom.
Helpful Links to Health & Wellness Information - Click HERE
June 2019 An 11-year-old student in Maine found the our School Wellness Council page and sent us an email thanking us for providing a source of so much great information! To thank us, she sent us this link to a Health, Nutrition, and Fitness Glossary for Kids as well as and fun, healthy kid activities. |
