Click on the My Plate graphic
 to see pics of this event.

The School Health Council is promoting healthy eating for the month of January with an emphasis on fruits and vegetables.  The Council sponsored a presentation by Meghan Kearn, a registered dietician, for all students in Grades K-12 on Monday, January 2.  Meghan emphasized the importance of healthy eating and introduced the new My Plate nutrition program from the USDA to the students.  The Council is encouraging all of us to focus on the amount of fruits and vegetables that we eat this month.  At the presentation, students were given a January calendar to record the amount of fruits and vegetables they eat each day.  Students who track their consumption of fruits and veggies on the calendar and return it to their classroom teacher at the end of the month will receive a prize from the School Health Council.  To learn more about the new healthy eating My Plate program visit http://www.choosemyplate.gov on the web. 

Seasonal Flu - Don't wait... vaccinate!

Frequently asked questions about the flu ...

If I get a seasonal flu shot early will it still work through the entire flu season?
YES. Regardless of how early individuals receive their seasonal flu vaccination, they will have protection from seasonal flu throughout the duration of the flu season. Vaccination can begin as soon as vaccine is available, in late August or September.

The goal for individuals, especially those at high risk of developing complications from influenza, is to receive a seasonal flu vaccination before influenza activity is taking place in the community. Seasonal flu activity could begin at any time, so the sooner individuals receive their seasonal flu vaccination, the better.

What can I do about the flu? - reducing the spread
As with any influenza virus, individuals are encouraged to take the following steps to reduce spread:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to get rid of most germs and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick to avoid spreading illness to co-workers and friends.
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue, and properly dispose of used tissues. If you have no tissue, cover your face with your elbow.
• Stay healthy by eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, and getting adequate rest and exercise.

White City Schools Health Council
 Recognizes  October as

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM). Since the program began in 1985, mammography rates have more than doubled for women age 50 and older and breast cancer deaths have declined.

This is exciting progress, but there are still women who do not take advantage of early detection at all and others who do not get screening mammograms and clinical breast exams at regular intervals.

·         Women age 65 and older are less likely to get mammograms than younger women, even though breast cancer risk increases with age.

·         Hispanic women have fewer mammograms than Caucasian women and African American women.

·         Women below poverty level are less likely than women at higher incomes to have had a mammogram within the past two years.

·         Mammography use has increased for all groups except American Indians and Alaska Natives.

“If all women age 40 and older took advantage of early detection methods – mammography plus clinical breast exam – breast cancer death rates would drop much further, up to 30 percent,” says the national experts.  “The key to mammography screening is that it be done routinely – once is not enough.”

For more information about NBCAM, please visit www.nbcam.org.  For additional information, please call one of the following toll-free numbers:

American Cancer Society                                   (800) 227-2345

National Cancer Institute (NCI)                            (800) 4-CANCER

Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization         (800) 221-2141

The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month program is dedicated to increasing public knowledge about the importance of early detection of breast cancer. Fifteen national public service organizations, professional associations, and government agencies comprise the Board of Sponsors, who work together to ensure that the NBCAM message is heard by thousands of women and their families.

It's True!
You don't have to give up your favorite desserts ...
just make them more healthy.

Click here for some tips on Altering Dessert Recipes