Make School Wellness a Reality

Many of you may be involved with School Wellness Policy Committees that are working to implement those policies in the fall of 2006. We Can! (Ways to Enhance Children's Activity & Nutrition) can help schools with tasks and requirements. We Can! was developed to help communities and families combat the current epidemic of childhood obesity. Our materials and resources can be used as is, or can be adapted to local programs.

Who can make it happen? We Can! All schools can.

We Can! Help with Staff and Community Education

• For forming planning committees, enlisting community support, and finding co-sponsors for wellness events, the We Can! Energize Our Community: Toolkit for Action is a helpful, general resource.
• For visuals and prizes to reinforce school wellness activities, look to:
  • Who can make it happen? We Can! All Parents Can posters
  • We Can! wrist bands for youth and adults

We Can! Help with School Curricula

For classroom or after school programs, We Can! showcases three science-based curricula for youth:

• Catch Kids Club - for grades K-5
• Media Smart Youth: Think, Eat, Be Active - 10 sessions for ages 11-13
• Student Media Awareness to Reduce Television (S.M.A.R.T.) - for 3rd and 4th grade

Help Your School Institute a School Wellness Policy

• Share the We Can! materials information with your School Wellness Policy Committee and staff such as health education teachers, school food service personnel, and physical education coordinators, who have prime responsibility for the nutrition and physical activity components.
  • Ask them to visit the We Can! Web site at http://wecan.nhlbi.nih.gov and click on Get Involved.
  • Encourage them to call 1-866-35-WECAN (1-866-359-3226) to order materials or to learn more about becoming a We Can! General Community Site.