Planning & logistics are continuing for the upcoming Wellness & Safety Week scheduled for March 14th to 18th at Florida High.  We hope to have some presentations by interested parties from the communtiy to classes with teachers who are able to accommodate them.  Our latest deadline on proposals from those who might be interested is March 5th. 
 
We are also looking at some static displays throughout the week to engage students such as the FHP crash car and displays.   Additional activieties are als planned for the month of March (which is designated as National Nutrition Month by the American Dietetic Association) in conjunction with food services at FSUS.
 
Please stay tuned for information on these upcoming activities.  We hope to make this a stimulating. thought-provoking time for students/teachers-administrators & parents.  If you have any suggestions and/or would like to make a presentation (or possibly assist us), please contact me (marq51@yahoo.com) or my co-chair, Brandi Geisbert (bgeisbert@hotmail.com )
 
The garden club project has been progressing and we will soon be “readying” the garden for our spring plantings.   Some of the produce (collards, brocolli and mustard greens) was harvestd for use by members of the “Builders Club” (thanks, Mrs. Kendrick) and most recently, the girl scouts (thanks, Robin).  I am attaching a couple of photos of the garden for possible use in the newsletter.  We will soon be announcing a call for Volunteers to help out with the upcoming Spring garden which, I am sure, will be a “warmer” experience.  Stay tuned.
 
Mark A. Mahoney
Wellness & Safety Co-chair
FSUS PTSA

The school’s Wellness Committee met on January 11th chaired by Mrs. Searight. She noted that FSUS will make application for the Bronze Medal status under the HealthierUS School Challenge in which we are enrolled. The focus will be on the K-5 grade levels and data will be collected during the month of February to address the required criteria for this award level.

The Child Nutrition Act has also passed Congress and was signed into law by the President. There is a listing of proposed rules relative to this law which will have a period of comment before actual rule implementation. Mrs. Searight noted that meeting the requirement of this law should not have a major impact on foods served here as FSUS has been proactive in meeting most of the changes required by this legislation. Some nutrition related activities are being planned for National School Breakfast Week (March 7-11. 2011) and also as part of National Nutrition Month (March 2011) for students-more details to follow as March approaches.

Gardening activities continue with a small cadre of Volunteers and students. Everyone (including the coordinator) look forward with anticipation to Spring gardening activities. This has been a particularly (as many of you know) cold winter to this point.

Through the assistance of the PTSA President and myself, a literacy media lesson plan is being offered for use in the classroom which focuses on the area of alcohol and youth. The emphasis here is to try to see what the ads are really saying and address this in a proactive manner. By analyzing advertisements, and using a step-wise approach, one is better able to realize intent and increase understanding (with the goal of achieving proactive, positive, measures to counter such ads, i.e., empowering youth). Look for upcoming events during the month of March for Wellness & Safety Week (March 14 — 18th).

Mark A. Mahoney
Wellness & Safety Co-chair
FSUS PTSA

Gardening-related: A sign-up sheet for those wishing to participate in the elementary school garden should be out shortly.  A meeting with a Leon County Extension agent (who has worked with Florida High in the past) will take place the first week of November for planning purposes.   Seeds/plants will then be obtained with a planting to follow soon after.  We expect that the school’s Builders Club will be involved in the gardening initiative including assisting with mentoring the younger children.

Media education activities:  Access to employ some initial media education activities (lesson plans)  are being requested through a nationally-recognized media expert.  These lesson plans will be available for potential use with teachers who may be able to use them as an adjunct in their classrooms (for use with elementary and/or secondary students).  A nationally recognized media literacy expert (who was a recent keynote speaker at the State of Florida’s Prevention Conference) is being contacted for potential educational presentations (subject to funding) to students (with a possibility of some teacher training).

Financial health :  An individual at a local credit union has been contacted about offering financial simulation training for teens at Florida High.  This program has been offered locally and has been well received.