Mr. VanDerHoof - Parent Resources and Info

Parent Resources for Virtual/Hybrid Learning

We hear a lot in the news about children and the "obesity epidemic" lately. You may be wondering what it's all about. Here are some very helpful sites that you can use to inform you and your child about the health risks and what they can do to better themselves. In-activity is one of the leading causes as well as diet in overweight and at risk children. If we all work together to improve the health and well being of our children we can help improve the quality of life for them in the future. The first step is to become informed. Please use the websites below to learn more about what you can do as a parent or guardian. I hope you find these websites useful.

How Parents Can Fight the Obesity Epidemic

Body mass index charts

CDC info on activity and children

• Kids should participate in 60 or more minutes of physical activity on most, preferably all, days that is age-appropriate, fun and involves a variety of activities. Adults need at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week.
• Daily physical activity can happen in bouts of 10-15 minutes. It doesn't all have to take place at one time - and the activities do not need to be organized or regimented.
• Before, during and after-school time offer opportunities for children to be physically active.
• Studies show that when children are active, they are more able to learn and achieve.
• Frequent bouts of physical activity help children to build and maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints, and maintain a healthy weight. Other health benefits of physical activity include reduced risk for various health maladies including high blood pressure, diabetes, elevated cholesterol and heart disease.
• Physical activity has a positive impact on mental health and emotional well-being, builds self-esteem, and enhances various life skills such as teamwork, self-discipline, sportsmanship and leadership.

President's Challenge Info

The Active Lifestyle Program of the President’s Challenge encourages all Americans to make being active a part of their everyday lives. This program was developed by the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports as an easy way to help children and adults make, track and keep a commitment to stay active.

The President’s Challenge website

Presidents challenge Youth Program, provides a free online tool for kids (and adults!) to track their daily physical activity. By participating in the President’s Challenge, students work toward earning one of the President’s Challenge Awards — including patches and medals that signify increased levels of daily physical activity.

Each student can register on the President’s Challenge website to track his/her own physical activity each day. To register individually, visit the website for more info.

• Participating students are eligible for patches or medals from the President’s Challenge after they achieve a certain level of daily physical activity.
• Students also can track their success using Game On! The Ultimate Wellness Challenge nutrition and physical activity trackers provided in this toolkit. These hard-copy trackers offer a tracking option for students with limited access to the Internet. Students (and adults) can use the “energy out” tracker to write in their physical activities and amount of time spent being active each day