PTA Resolution on School Health Councils

Whereas, The school is often best positioned to serve as the community's center for meeting the needs of the whole child, even though the well-being of children is primarily the responsibility of the home; and

Whereas, School health councils provide a setting in which school personnel, parents and community members can examine how well students learn, practice life skills, and make healthy decisions; and

Whereas, School health councils address and coordinate the activities of a coordinated school health program (CSHP), which consists of the following eight components; school environment, comprehensive school health education, health services, school meals and nutrition, physical education, counseling and psychological and mental health services, staff health promotion, and family and community involvement in schools; and

Whereas, The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 requires all schools that receive federal funding for their school lunch programs to involve a committee (which may be a school health council) of parents, students, representatives of the school food authority, the school board, school administrators, and the public in developing and implementing local wellness policies; therefore be it

Resolved, That National PTA and its constituent organizations encourage schools to develop school health councils in order to foster the connection between good health and learning; and

Resolved, That National PTA and its constituent organizations support health education efforts throughout the entire school, including in cafeteria offerings and physical education programs; and be it further

Resolved, The National PTA and its constituent organizations collaborate with health-related organizations to assist in the development and activities of school health councils.