Student Health and Wellness

• Childhood obesity has more than tripled since the 1970's. 
• One in five school-aged children are obese. 
• Overweight and obese children are absent from school four times more often than their normal weight peers. 
• Overweight and obese children are at a higher risk for having chronic health conditions and diseases. 
• Obese children are more likely to suffer from social isolation, depresssion and lower self-esteem. 
• Pre-diabetes and diabetes in teens increased from 9% in 1999 to 23% in 2008. 

Healthier U.S. Schools Challenge: Recognizing Excellence in Nutrition and Physical Activity

This is a voluntary certification initiative recognizing those schools enrolled in Team Nutrition that have created healthier school environments  through promotion of nutrition and physical activity.

Mankato Area Public Schools is proud to say that all 10 of our elementary schools have received a HUSSC award.

• Bridges Community School (Bronze)

• Eagle Lake Elementary School (Bronze)
• Franklin Elementary School (Silver)
• Hoover Elementary School (Bronze)
• Jefferson Elementary School (Silver)
• Kennedy Elementary School (Silver)
• Monroe Elementary School (Bronze)
• Roosevelt Elementary School (Bronze)
• Rosa Parks Elementary School (Bronze)
• Washington Elementary School (Bronze)

To better promote student health and wellness, Mankato Area School District is implementing a Coordinated School Health (CSH) approach. This framework, proposed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention assists in the planning and coordinating of school health activities. 

CSH is defined as “planned, organized set of health-related programs, policies, and services coordinated at both the district and individual school levels to meet the health and safety needs of K-12 students.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention², the eight key components of CSH are:

1. Health Education
2. Physical Education
3. Health Services
4. Nutrition Services
5. Counseling, Psychological, and Social Services
6. Healthy and Safe School Environment
7. Health Promotion for Staff
8. Family/Community Involvement