School Health

Health Ready Tips for Back to School

Check out the Health Ready Tips for your child’s grade level.

• Health Ready for Child Care and Pre School (79.3kb; pdf)
• Health Ready for Elementary School (79.3kb; pdf)
• Health Ready for Middle School (49.3kb; pdf)
• Health Ready for High School (161.2kb; pdf)

And Remember:

The Escambia County Health Department wishes you and your child a Healthy and Successful School Year!
 

At a time when many cities report high rates of obesity among adults and children, the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County released 2012-2013 student data showing a decrease in the total percentage of students who are obese or overweight. The data shows 64% of the children measured are in the normal range for BMI this year. Escambia students take home Health Report Cards (49.5kb; pdf) that provide parents with results of multiple screenings including vision, hearing and Body Mass Index (BMI).

 

The mission of the School Health Department is to enhance learning by promoting health and wellness for children in Escambia County.

The strength of the School Health Department is found in its caring, creative, committed and competent staff who are making a positive impact on the health of students and children in Escambia County. Our department serves children and students in childcare programs, pre-K, Headstart, and schools.

If the childhood obesity epidemic continues unchecked, we may be raising the first generation of children in the history of our nation who will have a shorter life expectancy than that of their parents. How can you help?

• Commit your family to making good food choices and being active.

• Support you school's efforts to improve foods served and to include more physical activity in the student's day.

The Core Recommendations for Healthy Families (4kb; pdf) were created as a result of the Escambia County School District Obesity Taskforce in cooperation with the Escambia County Health Department. They are based on guidelines and recommendations of numerous agencies and organizations including the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the American Dietetic Association, the National Association for Sports and Physical Education, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. It is the group’s goal that ALL families in Escambia County receive the same recommendations relating to nutrition, physical activity, and making healthy changes.
 

Nutrition

• Choose a variety of foods.

  • Aim to eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day.

  • Include 3 servings a day of low-fat milk or dairy products.

  • Choose fiber rich whole-grains.

  • Select lean meats.

• Eat foods low in saturated fat, trans fat and total fat.

• Limit foods and drinks that are high in sugar such as candy and soda.

• Drink plenty of water everyday.

• Plan ahead for eating healthy snacks.

• Eat a healthy breakfast everyday.

• Serve smaller portions.

Physical Activity

• Elementary school children should accumulate at least 60 minutes of physical activity everyday.

• Children should not have extended periods (two hours or more) of inactivity.

• Children should participate each day in a variety of age-appropriate physical activities to promote lifetime fitness.

• All adolescents should be physically active each day, engaging in three or more sessions per week of moderate to vigorous activities that last 20 minutes or more at a time.

Limit television watching, video games, and computer-related activities to no more than 2 hours per day outside of school.

Making Changes

• Balance food choices with physical activity for a healthy body.

• Set a good example for children by making physical activity and healthy eating a part of your daily routine.

  • Eat meals together as a family as often as possible.

  • Be physically active together as a family.

• Focus on small but permanent changes for better health.

Purpose: The School Entry Health Exam has been designed to meet the requirements for the school entry health examination, as mandated by s.1003.22, F.S. for student entry into Florida public and private schools, grades Pre-Kindergarten to 12. It provides basic health and screening information that will assist the school and school health personnel in meeting the needs of the child.

Health Care Professional: A health professional who is licensed in Florida or in the state where the student resided at the time of the health examination, and who is authorized to perform a general health examination shall certify that the health examination has been completed.

Time Limits: The child’s health examination must be completed within one year prior to enrollment in school. A homeless child shall be given a temporary exemption for 30 school days.

Exemptions: A child shall be exempt from this requirement upon written request from parent or guardian on religious grounds.

Copies: A copy of the front and back of the completed form may be retained in the child’s medical file kept by the health care provider. The original completed DH 3040 Form should be given to the parent to take to the school to provide information and to document that this requirement is met. Traditionally, this form is produced on yellow paper.

School Entry Health Exam (DH 3040 Form) (111.8kb; pdf)

8390 North Palafox Street
Pensacola, FL 32534
Phone number: 850-484-5100
Hours:
Monday – Friday
7 AM – 4 PM
 

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This page was last modified on: 05/17/2013 10:40:23