School Nutrition Programs a Priority

Obama Administration Pushes Swift Reauthorization of Child Nutrition Act

March 4, 2010

The Obama Administration is pushing for the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act to reduce hunger and improve the health and nutrition of our nation's children, and reduce childhood obesity – legislation that impacts school children and school districts around the country.

“The priorities announced by Secretary Tom Vilsack for the upcoming Child Nutrition bill would be a major step in the right direction for the health and well-being of our school children,” Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said last Wednesday...

U.S. Department of Education Releases Report on Use of Data Systems to Support Reform

January 29, 2010

States and school districts are making significant progress in building educational data systems and are starting to use that valuable data to change classroom practice and improve student achievement, according to a new report released this week by the U.S. Department of Education.

But school leaders are still searching for the best models to mine the data and to discover the best instructional methods for students, the report says...

Duncan Reminds Educators That Kids Under 10 Need a Second Dose of H1N1 Flu Vaccine

January 15, 2010

Arne Duncan, the federal Secretary of Education, reminded elementary school educators and parents last week health authorities now recommend that all children under 10 years of age should receive a second dose of the H1N1 flu vaccine to ensure full protection against the virus and prevent further outbreaks of the flu.

To underscore this message, Secretary Duncan joined U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, Congressman Jim Moran, and Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Patrick Murphy for a tour of an H1N1 school vaccination clinic...

Deadline to Apply is January 15

O'Connell Calls for More School Breakfast Programs to Help Hungry Students Succeed

January 13, 2010

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell on Wednesday urged local educational agencies to apply for available School Breakfast Program and Summer Food Service Program Start-up or Expansion grants.  The deadline to apply for the competitive grants is Friday, January 15, 2010.

“We have long known that it is harder for hungry children to learn in school, and that they are more often tardy or absent compared to well-nourished children,” said O’Connell...

O'Connell Announces Distribution of Personal Protective Equipment to Help Combat Flu

December 11, 2009

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell announced a multi-agency effort last Friday to distribute millions of protective masks and gloves to schools throughout California to help prevent and mitigate the spread of the H1N1 influenza virus and other influenza outbreaks.

“In order to prevent the spread of disease, the federal H1N1 guidance for schools calls for the use of personal protective equipment in situations in which a student becomes ill while on campus,” O’Connell said...