Bismarck Burleigh Public Health (BBPH) Celebrates Our Schools during National Public Health Week by highlighting how education can improve students’ health. After the home, children spend more of their day in school than anywhere else. Many values, behaviors and long-standing views that impact health are formed during the important school years. BBPH provides health services and education to the school community through school nurses in an effort to ensure that children and families have the information, support and services needed. School nurses provide many services in the school setting that include:
• Caring for injured and ill children
• Individualized health plans for children with chronic health conditions
• Health education, resources and referral related to growing children
• Health education and wellness activities for staff
This year a Bismarck school nurse developed and added a new program – SAFARI - to the services offered. SAFARI is an acronym that stands for Students and Families Active Responsibility Initiative. It is a program that brings schools, families, community resources and professionals together in a family fun based event at school that provides the tools, resources, and support to grow healthy families by developing improved social, emotional, physical and family health skills.
Schools are an important part of the community and school nurses are an important public health partner that helps to build and maintain healthier communities – both now and for the future. For more information call 701-355-1540.