Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment

It has been a fantastic week in Vail, Colorado! I feel incredibly fortunate to be on the Board of Directors of RMC Health, a non-profit that serves those working to improve the mental, physical, social and emotional health of children and youth. We had a great Board meeting that included both a business meeting and some strategic planning for the future.  Read ▸ about RMC Health Board Meeting and Healthy School Leadership Retreat

I'm a city girl. I've spent most of the last 17 years in Portland Oregon, with a year in Louisville Kentucky. So why am I currently residing in eastern Kentucky in a small town called Morehead? I fell in love.  “...people eat to thrive and nourish their bodies, being aware of eating nutrient-rich foods rather than foods that fill us up.” You may be fortunate enough to distinguish whether you choose where to live by a certain Read ▸ about Food… for Comfort or to Nourish?

I knew I was working with a great group of teachers when they were asked by their District Coordinator, Tempe Beall, to introduce themselves and share which National Health Education Standard they enjoyed teaching the most. I loved hearing things like, "I have my students role plays to practice interpersonal communication and self-management." "I love teaching students accessing information; accessing valid and reliable sources to promote health." “I really enjoyed your Read ▸ about Foundations of Health Education

What do you mean I can't task a student do laps around the track when he/she misbehaves?I can't hold my annual cookie dough fundraiser for our football and band uniforms?What do you mean I can't take away recess when a student hasn't completed their work?What are you able to do these days?My work is primarily in school health. Over the years, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Coordinated School Health (CSH) Model has been the evidence-based practice for doing Read ▸ about No more cupcakes for birthday parties?

I find it fascinating when the work we do, experiences we have and the products we design transfer into another project or component of our lives.Years ago, Ecumenical Industries of Oregon received a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant to develop a needs assessment tool to help faith-based organizations address healthy eating and physical activity within their faith-based environments. I was brought on board to help adapt Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's School Health Read ▸ about Application Transfer

I find myself meeting new people fairly regularly here in Kentucky and hearing a comment like the title of this blog. What's fascinating to me is that people actually categorize healthy people in a way that could never include them. As if they're stating, Oh, you're black." "Oh, you're a banker." "Oh, you're divorced." Things they may never actually be. Anyone can lead a healthy lifestyle. I mean, I understand access is essential, education imperative. However, when these comments come from Read ▸ about “Oh, You’re One of Those Healthy People…”

Yup. I said it. Actually, I heard it from colleague Jamie Sparks while he was speaking at an event. What he went on to say was that it appears the only time a school or district actually cares about how much sleep a child gets or what they eat for breakfast is on those dreaded statewide standardized testing days. Years ago, teaching 7th grade, memories of healthier breakfast options during that April week of test taking come to mind. Somebody on my middle school staff read something about Read ▸ about If Only Everyday Could be a Standardized Test Day…

Here is an update about what Cairn Guidance has been up to recently. We are so excited to be working in school health, community health and within the content areas of: tele-medicine, after-school programming for youth, school health policies, facilitation, keynoting, bicycle and pedestrian-friendly streets, sustainability, curriculum, systems thinking, suicide prevention, mental health promotion, and obesity prevention! Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky- Jess is a part time project officer Read ▸ about What Have We Been Up To?