Top of page

South Dakota KIDS SPEAK 2008 - Call for Applicants

Contact | Top of page

Governor Rounds’ Healthy School Award

Schools are encouraged to submit an application for the Governor Rounds’ Healthy School Award. This award provides public schools with local and state recognition for their leadership in the area of school health programming including the areas of nutrition services, health services, health education, physical education, counseling services, family and community involvement and health promotion. Award winning schools will receive a banner and a $5,000 Recognition Award. The deadline for submitting applications is April 15, 2008. For more information go to: http://doe.sd.gov/oess/schoolhealth/GHSA/index.asp. 

Top of page

Immunization Requirements for School Entry

South Dakota law (SDCL 13-28-7.1) requires students entering school or early childhood programs to present certification that they have been adequately immunized, according to the recommendations of the Department of Health. The law applies to all children entering school for the first time, including transfer students. Refer to the following website for minimum immunization requirements: http://doh.sd.gov/Immunize/School.aspx. Contact the South Dakota Department of Health, Immunization Program, at 1-800-592-1861 (in SD only) or email tim.heath@state.sd.us.

Top of page

Schools are Required to Report School-Based Disease or Outbreak

Institutions, such as schools, are required to report diseases and outbreaks to the South Dakota Department of Health (ARSD 44:20:02). For your convenience a confidential disease reporting website is available. One of the key advantages of the site is that it is intuitive and allows the user to know what data elements are needed for reporting purposes. This helps reduce call-backs to schools which in turn saves staff time associated costs. The website can be accessed by logging onto: www.state.sd.us/doh/diseasereport. An “Outbreak Report” hyperlink at the top-right of the main page directs the user to a simplified screen for reporting outbreaks.

Top of page

Get Ready for Your Spring Walking Program

Get ready for your spring walking programs by registering for the South Dakota Schools Walk program! Register online at http://doe.sd.gov/oess/schoolhealth/sdwalks/registration/. Schools will receive water bottles for their participating K-2 students and wrist sweat bands for their participating 3-6 students. For taking the initiative to sign up their class, teachers will receive a Coordinated School Health post-it notepad. The Schools Walk Healthy Habits Calendars, as well as tips and ideas for implementing the calendars, is available at:
http://doe.sd.gov/oess/schoolhealth/sdwalks/calendar/index.asp. For more information about the South Dakota Schools Walk Program contact Colleen Reinert, Coordinated School Health at the Department of Health at 773-6189.

Top of page

CDC Study Warns of Deaths Due to the “Choking Game”

At least 82 youth have died as a result of playing what has been called “the choking game,” according to a study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The choking game involves intentionally trying to choke oneself or another in an effort to obtain a brief euphoric state or “high”. Death or serious injury can result if strangulation is prolonged. Eighty–seven percent of these deaths were among males, and most fatalities occurred among those 11 years to 16 years old. Choking game deaths were identified in 31 states. CDC found that most of the deaths occurred when a child engaged in the choking game alone, and that most parents were unaware of the choking game prior to their child′s death. “This report is an important first step in identifying the choking game as a public health problem,” said Ileana Arias, Ph.D., director of CDC′s Injury Center. “More research is needed to identify risk factors that may contribute to kids playing the choking game and to determine what may help to reduce this type of behavior.” For more information on the warning signs and long term consequences of this dangerous behavior go to http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/research/choking_game.htm. 

Capacity Building Opportunity

In connection with the American School Health Association’s cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Adolescent and School Health to support leadership and governance for coordinated school health programs, ASHA is seeking 3 school districts (one rural, one urban, one suburban) to help field test a needs assessment instrument and participate in efforts to build the capacity of school districts and their community partners to improve health program coordination.

Each selected district will be expected to assemble a five person team that can participate (at no cost to the district) in a 3 day training event in early August 2008 and commit to working with ASHA for up to three years to strengthen coordination of their health-related programs and services. At least one member of the team must be a member of the American School Health Association. For more information or for a copy of the request for applications (RFA), go to http://www.ashaweb.org/coordination_shp.html.