Building Healthy Communities
Reducing Health Disparities in Elementary Schools
Building Healthy Communities is a school-based program focused on addressing the social determinants of health that have contributed to wide disparities in many communities across Michigan.
Health Impact
Since 2009 the statewide program has reached:
Schools
Teachers
Students & Families
Hear what children, teachers, school leaders and parents have to say about Building Healthy Communities!
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Building Healthy Communities
Building Healthy Communities: Reducing Health Disparities in Elementary Schools
Breathing exercises make for a great brain break activity! Try Belly Breathing: Lie on your back. Close your eyes. Put your hands on your belly. Keep your mouth closed. Breathe in slowly through your nose and silently count to 8. Hold that air in your body while you silently count to 2. Slowly let the air out through your mouth or nose and count to 5. #breathingexercise #bellybreathing #buildinghealthycommunities #BHC
Our planet is an amazing place, but it needs our help to thrive! That’s why each year on April 22, more than a billion people celebrate Earth Day to protect the planet from things like pollution and deforestation. By taking part in activities like picking up litter and planting trees, we’re making our world a happier, healthier place to live. #EarthDay #BuildingHealthyCommunities #BHC
National Garden Month is the right time to get outside and enjoy Mother Nature. Gardens are critical habitats for pollinators like bees, bats, birds, beetles, butterflies, and other animals. Kids enjoy gardening too! Get children involved by planting a sunflower hideout or designating a garden bed that they get to plant and tend to themselves throughout the season. Other fun activities include experimenting with kitchen scrap gardening or going on a garden scavenger hunt. Kids may also enjoy a field trip to an arboretum or botanical garden! Check out BHC’s parent tip sheet on the Health Benefits of Gardening!
2024 School Wellness Award – Application Window OpenThe application window for the 2024 School Wellness Award is now open! All Michigan K-12 public and non-public school buildings are eligible to apply. The deadline to submit online applications is midnight (EST) on May 22, 2024. New this year is automated scoring, so school buildings receive their award level immediately upon submission of their application. The application, along with more information about the award, can be found at swa.mihealthtools.org.
Don't miss out on some of the greatest opportunities for physical activity daily habits and chores that require physical movement, such as cooking, grocery shopping, doing yard work, or even fidgeting - the more you do throughout the day, the healthier you#buildinghealthycommunitieso#BHCities #BHC
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