"Health and success in school are interrelated. Schools cannot achieve their primary mission of
education if students and staff are not healthy and fit physically, mentally, and socially."
No question about it – healthy students learn better! Yet each day, students come to school
with health problems that create barriers to learning. With diminishing resources and increasing
expectations for student achievement, schools have reduced or eliminated health education,
physical education, and vital health services that address the needs of the whole child and
reduce barriers to learning. This session will explore the link the between health and student
achievement, describe a model for schools, communities, and public health to coordinate efforts
that foster health and well‐being, and provide examples of how it’s worked in schools.
The Colorado Health Foundation will also present an overview of some best practices and efforts
to increase health and nutrition education, physical education, healthy cafeteria food, and
opportunities for physical activity.