#SaludTues Tweetchat 3/31/15: How to Bring Fitness Back to Schools & Why This Matters


kids running park green space play

What can be done to help more kids be active? One of the greatest ways to address inactivity in children is to reach kids is where they spend most of their time—at school. Research has shown that programs that offer physical activity, both during school and after school hours, not only help kids remain active and prevent obesity, but also help students perform better academically. On March 31, 2015, let's use #SaludTues to tweet about ideas, tips, stories and strategies to work toward a healthier school fitness environment: WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat: “How to Bring Fitness Back to Schools & Why This Matters” DATE: Tuesday, March, 31, 2015 TIME: Noon CST (1:00 PM ET) WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues HOST: @SaludAmerica CO-HOSTS: Institute of ...

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Watch the Award-Winning ‘Salud Heroes’ Video Series


Rick Carrillo

The Salud Heroes video series shows how real people have made healthy changes for kids across the country, to inspire others to make similar changes. Now the series can be called "award-winning." More than 40 awards have been given to the Salud Heroes video series and the Salud America! website. Salud America! is a childhood obesity research and communication network funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and led by Dr. Amelie Ramirez of the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio. The recognition is from the AVA Digital Awards, Communicator Awards, Telly Awards, Aurora Awards, Web Health Awards, HERMES Awards, Davey Awards, and W³ Awards. Just this week, Rick Carrillo, Salud America! TV producer/director, was named a finalist for the "Best in ...

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New TV Series: ‘Making Awesome Changes’ in San Antonio to Fight Obesity


making awesome changes

Childhood obesity is a big problem in San Antonio. That's why Salud America! and KSAT-TV are teaming up for a new series, "Making Awesome Changes," which will regularly feature local Salud America! Salud Heroes—people and groups who are pushing for healthy changes—on the evening news. Salud America!, a childhood obesity research and communication network supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and directed by Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez of the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio, uses research, stories, and resources to help people drive healthy change in their own communities. Salud America! tells the stories of many youth, parents, teachers and other community members are working to improve physical activity and nutrition to help reduce ...

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#SaludTues Tweetchat 1/27/15: How to Spark A Culture of Fitness & Fun in Communities


park

From brain breaks to 5Ks and bike trains—parents and leaders all across the country are discovering creative ways to help kids find fun ways to stay fit. But there’s still more to do, and you can help share what's working! Join us for a #SaludTues Tweetchat, “How to Spark A Culture of Fitness & Fun in Communities,” on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015 at noon central (1 p.m. eastern) to discuss, innovative, practical solutions for inspiring healthy change. • WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat: “How to Spark A Culture of Fitness & Fun in Communities,” • DATE: Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015 • TIME: Noon CST (1:00 PM ET) • WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues • HOST: @SaludAmerica • CO-HOSTS: @AL_Research & @SafeRoutesNow Be sure to use the hashtag #SaludTues to ...

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Chicago Schools Bring Daily P.E. (and Recess and in-Class Activity) to Students



Students at Chicago Public Schools weren’t getting enough physical activity and time spent in P.E., so district officials created a new department solely to improve the health and wellness of students. The department’s new chief health officer led the enactment of three new health policies and the rollout of a plan to bring at least 30 minutes of daily P.E. to all students. Soon students in grades K-8 will be getting a minimum of 150 minutes of P.E. a week, and all high school students will be required to take P.E. every semester. The Need for More Physical Education (P.E.) for Students Awareness: As the third-largest school district in the nation, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) are responsible for ensuring a healthy learning environment for its student body (45% ...

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Afterschool Bike Clubs Empower Physical Activity, Leadership for Students in KC



Middle-school students in the FreeWheels for Kids program are learning what it means to be leaders for healthy change. By bringing bike clubs to various schools and facilities across Kansas City, this nonprofit is helping kids have fun and stay active, while teaching them how to fix bikes, build nature trails, and to voice their desire for a bike friendly community with bike-friendly streets. The Need for More Physical Activity Options in the Community Awareness: Benjamin Alexander was already an avid bicyclist when he started working at a local community center, where he mentored kids in Kansas City, Kan., which is 28% Latino. “I rode my bike to work every day,” Alexander said. At the community center in spring 2011, he was fixing his bike when a middle-school student ...

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Join Us for #SaludTues 11/11/14: How to Bring More Green Space to Neighborhoods


kids running park green space play

Learn more about examples and resources on how to increase access to green space for kids at the #SaludTues Tweetchat at noon CT (1 p.m. ET) Tuesday, November 11, 2014.You're invited to share your resources, stories, and questions, too! The chat is co-hosted by Salud America!, The Michael and Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living and the Children and Nature Network (via @SaludAmerica, @ChildrenNature & @msdcenter): WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat: “How to Bring More Green Space to Neighborhoods” DATE: Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014 TIME: Noon CST (1:00 PM ET) WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues HOST: @SaludAmerica CO-HOSTS: @ChildrenNature @msdcenter Be sure to use the hashtag #SaludTues to follow the conversation on Twitter/X and share your stories and ...

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Rozarks Nature Trail Brings Physical Activity to Community in Need in Kansas City, KS



After learning that kids in Rosedale were at a high risk for childhood obesity, the Rosedale Development Association (RDA) decided it was time to do something about it. They learned that the community wanted more trails so they hired an expert who developed plans for a hike & bike nature trail to connect the community to parks and other key spots. With support from various groups and the local government, the RDA built over 2.3 miles of nature trail, all at a minimal expense. Families and children in the community are already benefitting from the trail and the group continues expanding the Rozarks trail network. The Issue of Physical Activity in the Neighborhood Awareness:  The Rosedale Development Association (RDA), a Kansas City, Kan., non-profit community development ...

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Volunteers Add Playground to San Antonio Affordable Housing


marshal playscape playground in affordable housing

A new KaBOOM! playground has just arrived to Marshall Meadows, an affordable housing community in San Antonio, Texas. With the help of 200 volunteers from Foresters, The Housing Community Services, Inc. and a team from KaBOOM!, kids living in and near Marshall Meadows now have a new place to play. Plans for the project started with a design day in June 2014, according to a news release. As part of the playground design process, children were asked to draw their dream playground. Designers used their drawings as inspiration for the new playscape. The playground is expected to serve more 25,000 children. "A community's well-being starts with a child's well-being," said Tony Garcia, president and CEO, of Foresters. "Playgrounds are important to communities, providing an open ...

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