about the growth screening communications kit
Do you need help communicating with parents, colleagues and administrators about Pennsylvania’s Growth Screening Program?
Take advantage of the Growth Screening Communication Kit designed to assist
you with implementing the PA Growth Screening Program in your school and
community. This annual program offers a means to plan and communicate your schools comprehensive approach to wellness that includes health screenings along with policies and programs that support healthy eating and physical activity.
Click here to view Pennsylvania Growth Screening Data by County
(preliminary data from 2006/2007 school year collected by the Pennsylvania Department of Health)
Enclosed in this kit are customizable materials to assist school nurses in pre-screening communication, implementation and student/parent follow-up.
- Pre-Screening Template Materials that school nurses can use to explain the Growth Screening Program (GSP) to parents, school administrators and staff
- Template letter for reporting student BMI results to parents
- Tips for success from other Pennsylvania school nurses relating strategies for preparing parents and supporting partnerships at school
- A customizable PowerPoint presentation that helps school nurses explain the GSP to school boards and administrators.
- Energy Balance for a Healthy Child – a visually appealing two-page PDF that can be copied and sent home with students, enclosed in mailings or downloaded from the Web. This easy-to-reproduce flyer, designed for parents, include illustrations and information about:
- Body Mass Index (BMI) and how to interpret it; and
- How to talk with your child's health care provider about BMI and related issues.
- nrgBalance 12345! Fact Sheets – four-color, two-sided fact sheets that includes tips for achieving energy balance: eating and drinking (energy in) to provide the right amount of fuel your body needs for growth and everyday living (energy out). The fact sheets highlight five simple recommendations with practical tips for things families can do to maintain good health and achieve energy balance every day. The fact sheets can be copied and sent home with students, enclosed in mailings or downloaded from the Web.
- nrgBalance 12345! Goal Setting Forms –These forms can be used to help youth and families help track each of the five recommended nrgBalance 12345! behaviors for maintaining good health. The forms can be copied and sent home with students, enclosed in mailings or downloaded from the Web.
- An online resource directory of clinical and community-based weight management programs (broken down by county and/or zip code) for providers, schools and community centers to refer youth and families for weight management support.
The Growth Screening Communication Kit was developed with the following partners of Pennsylvania Advocates for Nutrition and Activity (PANA):
Pennsylvania Chapter of the Academy of Pediatrics , Pennsylvania Dietetics Association, Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants, Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians, Pennsylvania Department of Health, Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Pennsylvania Association of School Nurses & Practitioner, Highmark Blue Shield, and Keystone Mercy Health Plan.
