School Initiatives
By working with schools,
SHIP is helping the next generation develop good habits and stay healthy throughout their lives.
- NEW! Schools fact sheet (PDF: 341KB/1 page)
- NEW! Breckenridge High School thinks sustainability (PDF: 417KB/1 page)
- NEW! Sibley East creates “a link between the rural community
and kids” (PDF: 488KB/1 page) - NEW! Students tried rutabaga and kohlrabi and liked them at Staples-Motley High School (PDF: 608KB/1 page)
SHIP is working with schools throughout Minnesota to improve children's health
Children and youth spend roughly half of their waking hours in school, so this setting is a key place to reinforce the importance of eating well, being active and avoiding commercial tobacco products. Schools are a vital partner in SHIP. Because children learn, eat and play at school during the years when they are acquiring lifestyle habits, an environment that supports and models healthy behavior is critical to their becoming healthy, productive adults.
2010-11 selected highlights
SHIP is making an impact in the health of children by making the healthy choice the easy choice. Some successes from the first two years of SHIP include:- Farm to School efforts are under way to increase access to local produce in at least 367 schools and 22 school districts across Minnesota, serving more than 200,000 students.
- At least 117 schools across the state are actively engaged in implementing Safe Routes to School that will increase opportunities and support for youth to walk or bike to school. These schools serve at least 77,000 students.
- 46 schools are working to increase physical activity within the instructional setting, building a foundation for lifelong physical activity.
- 33 post-secondary schools are working to connect students of with smoking cessation services including quitlines, quitting websites and face-to-face counseling.
- 31 post-secondary schools are working to have tobacco-free campuses.
- In collaboration with Great Trays, school nutrition staff from 75 percent of eligible districts throughout the state have been trained on menu planning and procurement strategies to serve healthy meals.
SHIP School Information Page (PDF: 184KB/1 page)
SHIP stories:
- “I never knew there were so many different kinds of apples,” said Winfair Elementary student
(PDF: 439KB/1 page)
- Bold and sustainable changes for nutrition at Dakota County schools
(PDF: 367KB/1 page)
- “I don’t smoke because my life depends on it,” says Mankato State student
(PDF: 335KB/1 page) - Alternative school students winners with porcupine sliders
(PDF: 184KB/1 page) - Physical activity equals healthy and happy kids
(PDF: 184KB/1 page) - Walking School Bus a big plus to father and daughter
(PDF: 184KB/1 page) - NEW! Engaging students through agriculture at Golden Hill in Rochester (PDF: 565KB/1 page)
- NEW! The kids are loving it,” in Brainerd
(PDF: 488KB/1 page) - NEW! Putting a dream into action at Waseca Junior High
(PDF: 590KB/1 page)
Making it Better: Minnesota stories about people working to build a healthier community: http://makingitbettermn.org/
- Celebrate Screen-Free Week: April 30-May 6
The Minnesota Department of Health is proud to endorse Screen-Free Week (April 30-May 6). "Screen-Free week is a great way to encourage more physical activity and less snacking by turning off the television and the computers. After a week, many people may find this new, active lifestyle to be habit forming.--
-- MDH Commissioner Ed Ehlinger
- Minnesota Health Commissioner visits Eagan school on "local lunch day"
- The Minnesota Statewide Health Improvement Program SHIP Progress Brief -
Year 2 (PDF: 2.3MB/44 pages)
is now available
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Community Transformation Grant (CTG) CTG works to expand efforts in tobacco-free living, active living and healthy eating, and quality clinical and other preventive services, all toward a goal of addressing health disparities, helping control health care spending, and creating a healthier future.
- contact us:
Health.OSHII@state.mn.us