Health Education

The K-4 health program is broad in its scope and utilizes a comprehensive education approach. It includes physical, community, mental, and family life, substance awareness, HIV education, and safety education. Developing knowledge, attitudes, skills, and proper modes of behavior are vital factors in the development of each child. Health education is taught in grades K-4 as a separate discipline and/or as part of various units in science or social studies. The program recognizes that a truly healthy person is not only sound in body but also must be sound emotionally and have an awareness of safety for self as well as others. In general, the purpose of health education is to provide the student with information concerning physical, emotional, social, and mental development as well as sound practices of safety. The grade 1 through 4 program may be delivered by the health and physical education specialists, school nurse, or classroom teacher, each utilizing portions of Health Promotion Wave, 2006, as a resource.

In addition, the health education program includes a comprehensive alcohol and drug education program for students in grades 1 through 4 delivered by the school nurse. The philosophy of the curriculum is that the incidence of alcohol and drug abuse problems among young people will decrease if youth have greater self-esteem; are better able to cope with life's problems; have current facts about alcohol, other drug and chemical dependency; and are more skilled at making decisions and handling interpersonal relationships. The premise is reflected through the four main components upon which the curriculum was built: information, decision-making, coping, and self-concept.