The Colgate Van Visits PS4

The Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures^® Program provides free dental screenings and oral health education to children through its fleet of mobile dental vans. These vans travel to under-served rural and urban communities, reaching over 1,000 towns and more than 10 million children each year.

Recently, with the average screening lasting approximately two minutes, third grade students boarded the Colgate van, with volunteer dental professionals!  They each received a free dental check-up with treatment referrals (if needed).   Following their check-up, children received a bag of materials that included a tube of Colgate® kid's toothpaste, a Colgate® kid's toothbrush and brushing instructions!  The program was an enormous success and plans are already well under way to repeat the program for students in Pre-K to 2nd grade! The Colgate Van will be back in March!  Click here for more information and check out the collage below for a few photos of bright smiles from our students!

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Healthy Habit of the Month: Eat Less Fast Food

The Healthy Habit of the Month: Eat Less Fast Food!

Before your next run to the drive-thru, consider this:

• Fast food meals are typically higher in calories, fat,sugar, and salt; too much of these components of food can lead to cronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes.

Still want fast food? Make your own!

1. Cook and Chill: A variety of delicious and healthy meals can be prepared ahead and frozen for convenient eating.  

For more information and great ideas on making your own fast food, click here!

Did You Know?

Did you know that a 20-ounce bottle of soda contains 16 packets of sugar!  According to Carmen Acosta, Healthcare Advocate from the Healthcare Education Project, it does.  "When eat dinner with your family tonight", she told PS4 first graders, "tell your family that you don't want that much soda...you just want a little soda or water."

During a lesson about reducing sugary drink consumption, Ms. Acosta discussed the importance of having a balanced diet that includes a dinner plate with 1/4 starch, 1/4 protein and 1/2 vegetables.

For more information about the Healthcare Education Project, click here!  To help your family plan a balanced meal, click here!

Healthy Habit of the Month: Eating Smaller Amounts

The Healthy Schools-Healthy Schools Healthy Habit of the Month is:

Eat Smaller Amounts!

Eating smaller amounts means eating a balanced plate and eating smaller amounts may also mean eating less than what is traditionally served to us in a restaurant or what we buy from a store. Eating smaller amounts is also not about wasting food. Leftovers can make good snacks, a meal for the next day and save you money.  Portion sizes have increased through the years, and people often consume more food than they need when they are given larger portions.  This becomes an important problem when eating out at restaurants, because the portions are often much larger than what an average adult or child needs.

Some good ways to combat the large portions at restaurants are to split a dish with someone else. Order half of the meal to go and just eat half or even order a kids portion if the restaurant allows it.  The decision about portions sizes is also important when deciding whether or not to choose a “value combo” at a restaurant because it is much more food for just a little more cost. However, be aware that unless you are splitting with someone you are probably paying a little extra for food and calories you do not need.

For more information about portion control, click here!

Healthy Habit of the Month: September 2012

The Healthy Schools Healthy Families Healthy Habit of the Month:

Snack on healthy foods!
There are so many creative healthy snacks that you can make or buy, we won’t try listing them all. Instead here are just a few ideas for snacking.

-Fresh fruit and Vegetables
o Slice them up in fun shapes or make kebobs. You can even chill them. Add low-fat dips on occasion, or dips like peanut butter. “Ants on a Log” – peanut butter on celery, dotted with raisins
o Graham crackers with small amount low fat whipped cream (can) and fresh fruit on top

- Small Sandwiches and Quesadillas
o Choose low-fat (2% or less) cheese, whole-wheat bread and less processed, lean 95-98% fat-free meat. Great place to add a vegetable.

- Smoothies
o Blend fruit alone or with 100% juice or low-fat or non-fat yogurt or milk, and ice. Don’t add sugar.

For more great ideas, click here!

Healthy Lifestyles = Academic Success

Dr. Montanez (standing-right) speaks to PS4 parents.

Turn 2 Us Program Manager, Dr. Evelyn Montanez and Dr. Dominique Bailey were guest speakers at a recent workshop for PS4 parents in the auditorium.  More than twenty parents learned how healthy lifestyles can promote their child's academic success!  Topics included nutrition, sleeping habits, mindfulness exercises, stress management and routines.  For more information on the Turn 2 Us Program and to contact Dr. Montanez, click here!

Organized by Parent Coordinator, Lucy Perez, parent workshops are held each month.  For more information, contact Ms. Perez in the main office.

Healthy Habit of the Month: June

The Healthy Schools Healthy Families Healthy Habit of the Month is:

Limit your screen time to less than two hours a day!  Here's what you can do instead:

• Exercise as a family by taking walks, riding bikes, or playing sports or active games together.
• Do something active for at least 60 minutes each day.
• Set up screen free play dates.
• Read a book, listen to music, or encourage your kids to write a story, draw, or create an art project, if you need some quiet down-time. 

For more information on the benefits of limiting screen time, click here!

Special thanks to Rahel Biegel, Program Coordinator at NY Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, for her many years of support with the Healthy Schools/Healthy Families Program at our school!  Because of her efforts, our school was recently awarded the Gold Award for Excellence in School Wellness from the Strategic Alliance for Health!  For more information on this award, click here!

Rahel pictured here with Nurse Frere

Healthy Habit of the Month: April

The Healthy Schools Healthy Families Healthy Habit of the Month:

Eat less fast food!

Fast foods are high in fat, sugar and salt and have been shown to be replacing healthier, balanced meals. Children who eat fast food consume larger portions, more fat, more added sugar, more sugar-sweetened beverages, less liquid milk and fewer fruits and vegetables. The extra calories from eating often at fast food restaurants over time has been shown to increase the risk for obesity and insulin resistance, risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

If you do go to a fast food restaurant once in a while, look for lower calorie food items with more vegetables. In New York City most chain fast food places are required to have calorie labels on their menu so you can compare calories in different foods. Many places are beginning to offer healthy alternatives to their regular menu, which have more vegetables, less fat, and sometimes even whole grains. These options are healthier for your heart and help maintain a healthy weight.

For more information on how you can eat healthier, even at a fast food restaurant, click here!

Give Kids A Smile Day at PS4

Columbia University College of Dental Medicine celebrated the 10th Annual Give Kids A Smile Day on February 3rd, 2012.  "This is a great program", said first grade teacher Ms. Pinales.  "It's important for young children to learn about how sugar effects their teeth.  They need to learn how to prevent cavities".

The American Dental Association sponsored national event promotes oral health awareness and treatment to children in undeserved areas of the country.  Dental students, Columbia faculty and staff volunteered their time, effort and expertise in making the event at PS4 a complete success as they provided our kindergarten, first and second grade students with oral health instruction, dental exams and screening.

Special thanks to Rahel Beigel from Healthy Schools-Healthy Families for bringing this program to PS4.  For more information about the Give Kids a Smile program, click here.  See the slideshow below for some highlights from the event.

This picture slideshow personalized with Smilebox

Healthy Habit of the Month: Choose Healthy Snacks

The Healthy Schools-Healthy Schools Healthy Habit of the Month is:

Choose Healthy Snacks!

Snacks are a part of our day, especially when kids are in school.  The simple message is make sure you’re eating more “Everyday Foods” than “Sometimes Foods”.  “Everyday Foods” (or “Go Foods”). They can include foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, low‐fat milk, cheese or yogurt, and whole grains.  “Sometimes Foods” or “Slow” and “Whoa Foods” are foods that are high in fat and sugar, calorie‐dense, and low in nutrients. Examples: potato‐chips, candy, soda, juice, and fast‐food.  Eat less of those.  The choice is yours.  Choose healthy snacks.

For more information, click here.  For a great website in English and in Spanish, click here.

Join the Team!

Healthy Habit of the Month: Be Active!

The Healthy Schools Healthy Families Healthy Habit of the Month:

Be physically active for at least 60 minutes a day!

For more information on how to adapt the eight habits of healthy kids into your daily life, click here!

Healthy Habit Of The Month

Healthy Habit of the Month:

Drink water instead of soda or juice!

Our bodies are made mostly of water. At birth, 75%-85% of body weight is from water.

Water:
• Keeps your body temperature normal.
• Lubricates and cushions your joints.
• Protects your spinal cord and other sensitive tissues.
• Gets rid of wastes

For more information about the positive effects of drinking water, click here or see Rahel Biegel from Healthy Schools-Healthy Families in suite 220.

Healthy Habit of the Month

Healthy Habit of the Month:

Eat smaller amounts!

Don't you hate when you feel as if your stomach is full? This is a sign that you have made a mistake in the way you just ate. After you're done eating, your stomach should not feel empty, but also not completely full. Get in the habit of eating slowly so you can stop when you are satisfied, not full; the brain needs about 20 minutes to get the "not hungry anymore" signal.  Eat small amounts.

Do you need some ideas on what to eat, go to www.oldwayspt.org.  For more information on what your plate should look like, go to www.choosemyplate.gov.

Students Visit Our Community Greenmarket

Students in second grade have been visiting our local Fort Washington Greenmarket between 167th and 168th Street!  Each class was given Green Bucks to purchase fruits and vegetabes to take home.  Students got to meet local farmers.  "We had such a good time", said Ms. Hodge at the end of the trip, "I even bought some apples from a local farmer".

Ms. Hodge with her class.

The Greenmarket Youth Education Project connects thousands of New York City schoolchildren in grades K-12 with Greenmarkets and our farmers and chefs each year.  These field trips help children gain an understanding of local agriculture and the importance of eating fresh, seasonal foods--for their bodies, their environment and their communities.

Special thanks to Market Manager Luz and Tour Coordinator Samantha Hill for taking good care of students and teachers from PS4.  Click here for more information about greenmarkets!

Students and teachers visit the Greemarket.

Second grade students tasting fresh squash.

Healthy Habit of the Month

Healthy Habit of the Month:

Eat more fruits and vegetables!

For more information on how to add more fruits and vegetables to your diet, go to www.choosemyplate.gov.

By the way, Food Day is October 24th, 2011!  Food Day seeks to bring together Americans from all walks of life—parents, teachers, and students; health professionals, community organizers, and local officials; chefs, school lunch providers, and eaters of all stripes—to push for healthy, affordable food produced in a sustainable, humane way. We will work with people around the country to create thousands of events in homes, schools, churches, farmers markets, city halls, and state capitals.  For more information on how you can celebrate Food Day, click here!

Today is World Asthma Day!

World Asthma Day is May 3rd! Every year children miss 13 million days of school due to asthma. For more information about asthma, call the WIN for Asthma Hotline; 212-305-2076. WIN for Asthma offers free education, support, home environmental assessments, and referrals for other community services.

For more information on this global initiative, click here.

HSHF's Healthy Habit for the Month of March

The Healthy Schools Healthy Families Habit of the Month:


Healthy choices today make healthy habits tomorrow!



For more information about HSHF, click here or e-mail our Program Coordinator, Rahel Biegel, at rab9053@nyp.org

5th Grade Hosts Health & Fitness Fair

On February 17, 5th grade classes hosted a very successful Health & Fitness Fair! Each 5th grade class presented an important topic concerning health or fitness:

Ms. McLeod's class shared healthy snacks, including hummus and peppers! Selected students then gave Google Doc presentations about the disadvantages of eating processed foods. Students in Ms. Anderson's class provided water to visitors after leading them through a series of exercises. In class 520, students used diagrams and posters to discuss the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. Rafael N. showed students how to take their pulse by putting two fingers under your chin. With the list of ingredients distributed, Ms. Cabral taught visitors how to make a strawberry-banana smoothie and everyone got a taste of this healthy treat!

"This is great", said Rahel Biegel, Program Coordinator for Healthy Schools & Healthy Families, "PS4 always has some great ideas for encouraging healthy lifestyles".

Look at the slide show below for pictures from this event!

Student Government Members Support HSHF

Our Student Government has partnered with Columbia/New York Presbyterian Hospital's Healthy Schools-Healthy Families to support good eating habits! With a grant from Cabot Cheese, on November 10th nearly 240 parents were treated to a snack-tasting event including a variety of cheeses and seltzer water. Gift baskets were given to four lucky winners and simple recipes were handed out to all.

HSHF's mission is to utilize community partnerships to promote healthy lifestyles and identify and address unmet health and wellness needs in the entire school community. The organization's main goal is to cultivate a school culture which values physical activity and healthy eating. What better way to do that, than to have a healthy snack!

Thanks to our student leaders Alex R. (521), Gilani D. (401), Michelle G. (401), Seleny P. (501) and Franklin S. (501) for helping to run the event during Parent-Teacher Conferences. A very special thanks goes to Alexandra Groezinger from Cabot Creamery and Rahel Biegel, Education Coordinator for HSHF, for funding the event.