Two new courses – Current Topics: School Nutrition and Current Topics: School Health – will be offered via the Dakota Digital Network (DDN) in 2005. Each course will consist of eight sessions.

The School Nutrition course will be held 4:20-6:30 p.m. (CST) on each of the following dates: Jan. 11 and 25; Feb. 8 and 22; March 1 and 29; and April 12 and 26. Topics include: creating a healthy nutrition environment at school and in the community, finding funding sources for nutrition projects, teaching nutrition in the classroom and lunchroom, dietary guidelines, understanding food allergies, preventing eating disorders, food safety and more.

Sites for this course include the following locations: Avera McKennan University and Hospital, Briton-Hecla School District, Brookings (South Dakota State University), Douglas School District, Eureka School District, Groton School District, Haakon School District, Harrisburg School District, Hot Springs School District, Huron School District, Pierre (State Capitol), Rapid City School District, Redfield School District, Sioux Falls School District, Sioux Valley (Volga) School District, Spearfish School District, Wagner School District, Webster School District, White River School District, and Winner School District.

Course registration, which is based on availability, begins Dec. 10. To register, visit www.southdakotapd.com. The registration deadline is Jan. 11. 

The School Health course will be held 4:20-6:30 p.m. (CST) on each of the following dates: Feb. 28; March 7, 14, 21; April 4, 11, 18 and 25. Topics include: health education standards, physical education standards, developing school health policies, accessing resources for children with special health conditions, mental health issues and more.

Openings for sites to host the School Health course are still available. Registration information will be forthcoming.

Child and Adult Nutrition Services and Coordinated School Health have partnered with Avera McKennan Hospital and University Center to present the new courses. The courses are free; however, any fees for college credit through Augustana will be the responsibility of the participant.