Hello, and happy holidays! I hope you’ll scroll down to our Diving Deeper feature: Tips for a healthy holiday at school. Many of the tips are useful at home, too. If you have problems with any links in this newsletter, try pasting them into your internet browser. If they still don’t work, please let me know. Thanks for your ongoing support of healthier schools. You make a difference!
Events, Opportunities, & Resources
Upcoming Event: Wyoming Healthy Schools will be at the Wyoming Health Fairs Health & Wellness Expo, Saturday, January 11, 2025, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m at the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper. The event is free. Stop by our table and say hi! If you’d like to help staff our table, please let me know. More info about the event at https://www.fordwyomingcenter.com/events/detail/health-wellness-expo-1?spMailingID=11885683&spUserID=OTY0MzkyNjY1MDA3S0&spJobID=2100628011&spReportId=MjEwMDYyODAxMQS2
Opportunity: 2024-2025 Efficient and Healthy Schools Recognition Program, deadline to apply is December 20, 2024. Learn more at https://efficienthealthyschools.lbl.gov/20242025-recognition?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=
Resource: Asthma Community Network, an interactive space for community-based asthma programs, including those that work in schools, to share best practices and lessons learned. They have a great resource bank of information and a discussion forum:https://www.asthmacommunitynetwork.org/
Diving Deeper: Tips for a healthy holiday season at school
The holidays can be an especially festive time at school. To keep the fun going for everyone, follow these tips:
Poinsettias are poisonous to humans and other animals, so don’t bring them to school. Consider decorating with artificial poinsettias, instead.
Christmas trees can trigger asthma and allergies from the dust and dust mites they accumulate, and in the case of real trees, also pollen from outdoors. To prevent health problems, shake artificial trees outdoors or vacuum them before setting up inside. Hose down real trees outside to wash off allergens before bringing them in. If a tree is still causing health problems for someone at school, remove it. (Tree tips from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USNIHNIEHS/bulletins/3c7aa80 )
Holiday lights and artificial trees often contain lead and harmful chemicals, so wash hands thoroughly after handling. This especially goes for students.
Go fragrance-free, including when choosing gifts to give at school. Fragrance is a common allergen and scented products (including those made with essential oils) are a source of indoor air pollution. They can contain hazardous substances that trigger headaches and asthma attacks, interfere with hormones, and cause cancer. (References available at https://wyominghealthyschools.org/families-and-community-members/ )
Focus school holiday celebrations on fun, rather than food. This ensures students with allergies and dietary restrictions are included in the celebration, prevents behavior problems caused by some food ingredients, promotes healthier lifelong attitudes about food, and supports other healthy schools efforts. The fun can be games, dance parties, or special activities or projects students enjoy. There are lots of ideas online, and students can come up with ideas for celebrations, too!
Wyoming Healthy Schools 