Student-led initiative takes a bite out of bullying
Learn how to host a No One Eats Alone day — a student-led, lunchtime initiative — at your school on Feb. 12. As a program of Beyond Differences, the day drew 400,000 middle school students into the action last year, according to the founders. Visit www.nooneeatsalone.org for resources.
The movement was created to end social isolation, which tormented a young girl with cranial facial syndrome. Beyond Differences, started by her parents, believes that "students are in charge of their own campus of inclusion." Stopping social isolation helps stop bullying, organizers say.
NYSUT Social Services here to help members
If you have a problem that affects your mental or physical health, tap into NYSUT Social Services. Here, you will find a personal response and referrals for help with elder care, elder housing, health issues, psychotherapy referrals, addiction and alcohol abuse, depression, death in the family, Alzheimer's and more. Service is free and confidential.
Find out how your statewide union can help you through NYSUT Social Services. Call 800-342-9810, ext. 6206; email socsvcs@nysutmail.org; or visit www.nysut.org/socialservices.
February is National Cancer Prevention Month
February is National Cancer Prevention Month. Visit the American Institute for Cancer Research website — www.aicr.org/cancer-prevention-month — to find a daily tip each day of this month. The recommendations include: Avoid processed meats and sugary drinks; be physically active at least 30 minutes a day; and eat more vegetables, fruits and legumes. The American Cancer Society reports that 1 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Learn about recommended screenings for prostate cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer and other illnesses by visiting www.cancer.org.
Health care forum for union professionals coming in April
If you want to learn about current topics in health care, enhance your practice, network, earn credit and get the latest in professional development, set aside Saturday, April 23, for the annual NYSUT Health Care Professional Issues Forum.
The event is for school counselors, social workers, hospital, school and visiting nurses, respiratory and occupational therapists and other professionals. It takes place at NYSUT headquarters in Latham, and is sponsored by the Health Care Professionals Council, an advocacy group for more than 15,000 workers in the health care field.
Email Marianne Perry at mperry@nysutmail.org for more information; check www.nysut.org/healthcare for future announcements about topics and keynote speakers.
Recess vital for children
"Recess plays a vital role in child development, benefitting children emotionally, socially, physically and academically," reports the National Education Association, which links to a Huffington Post article titled "Recess is not a privilege."
To read the article, go to www.huffingtonpost.com/laura-hanby-hudgens/recess-is-not-a-privilege_b_8505720.html.
Children learn actively — with motion — and yet classroom instruction has become more sedentary and rigorous, which harms children, reports the Washington Post.
Read more at www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2015/11/24/how-twisted-early-childhood-education-has-become-from-a-child-development-expert/.
Check out a Stanford University study to learn about the improvements in attendance, achievement and attitude created by recess. Visit http://news.stanford.edu/news/2015/february/recess-benefits-school-021115.html.