Essential body language
Balancing Activity and Nutrition for Kids, or BANK, is a sequential curriculum of nutritious food and physical activity based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's food pyramid program for kids. The National Education Association's Health Information Network is a co-sponsor of BANK.
Six lesson plans for third-grade teachers, with links to student worksheets, resources and food picture cards, are available at www.neahin.org/bankcurriculum.
Safe schools, healthy kids
The Safe Schools, Healthy Students Initiative is a federal grant program designed to prevent violence and substance abuse in school and community programs.
Past grant winners are implementing programs that address the following five elements: safe school environments; alcohol and drug prevention activities; student behavioral, social and emotional support; mental health services; and early childhood social and emotional learning programs. Visit www.sshs.samhsa.gov/initiative/default.aspx for more information about the program and how to apply for a grant.
Safety on the bus
Students can learn about school bus safety at www.kids.askacop.org/schoolbussafety.html. The site explains the rules for riding the bus, getting off and on, proper sitting and understanding the "danger zone" around a bus.