Making it Better: Minnesota's Health Improvement Log

Minnesota Department of Health sent this bulletin at 12/21/2017 11:00 AM CST
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Making it Better: Minnesota's Health Improvement Log

Dec. 21, 2017

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Winter Walk to School Day

kids walking to school in the winter

Keep warm with activity

Dig out your hats and gloves, organize your volunteers and step out for Winter Walk to School Day on Feb. 7, 2018.

The idea is simple: go for a walk for at least 15 minutes  and don’t let the cold scare you off. Celebrations can start small or include the entire school.

Ideas and registration information found on the Bike MN website.

Green Ribbon School Award

kids gardening

Applications accepted soon

U.S. Department of Education announced it will open the application process shortly for the 2018 Green Ribbon School Award.

Applying for the award helps the school community analyze and set goals for energy and water usage, waste reduction, nutrition programs, environmental instruction and other sustainable practices. 

More information is on the MDE Green Schools page.

SHIP Regional Meetings Start Soon

Meetings scheduled for January

A reminder to register now for the 2018 meetings if you have not already done so. This round will focus on building skills toward intentional community engagement and strategic tobacco work.

Each session runs from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

  • Jan. 4,  Stearns County Service Center, 3301 County Road 138, Waite Park
  • Jan. 17, Beltrami County Board Room, 701 Minnesota Ave NW, Bemidji
  • Jan. 25, Scott County Law Enforcement Center, 301 Fuller St S, Shakopee
  • Jan. 30, Freeborn County Historical Museum, Library, and Village, 1031 Bridge Ave, Albert Lea

Register at the SHIP Winter Regional Meeting website.

Registration Ends Soon for SRTS

Application deadline is Jan. 5

MnDOT’s Safe Routes to School grant provides planning expertise and plan development support to schools.

Applicants should be prepared to supply:

  • A list of the applicant’s SRTS team
  • A summary of SRTS work to date
  • A description of the community’s ability to implement a plan
  • If known, the number of children who currently walk and bicycle to school
  • Letters of support from the school and local government organizations

The application form is accessed by clicking on this Minnesota Safe Routes to School link.

    No Making it Better Next Week

    Log resumes Jan. 4

    Tis the holiday season and the MiB log will take a break next week. It will be back in January with important information, events and resource updates for SHIP grantees and interested partners.

    Happy Holidays!

    This Week's Gem

    sumner elementary signage

    Sumner Elementary School in Austin is doing some amazing things with its school lunch program. The Mower County SHIP partner is  a Bronze Award winner for the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s 2017 list of America’s Healthiest Schools- the only Minnesota school to receive recognition this year. 

    The Minnesota Department of Health recently had several staff and partners stop by the school to grab lunch with the students and congratulate the school staff for all of its good work promoting healthy eating. Among the enhancements now offered: a fruit and veggie bar, scratch cooking, ethnic food options and uses an app called Nutrislice to provide daily nutritional information on  school menu food items to students and parents. 

    You can read more about the efforts at Sumner Elementary by clicking on the Austin Daily Herald link.