Children's Programs
AASA supports strong school system leadership to improve the lives of children as part of the overall mission of the Association.
AASA has championed efforts to improve the lives of children in public schools by working directly with local school district leaders, state affiliate directors and other strategic partners across sectors.
Current Projects
AASA's current projects are on asthma management, healthy school environments, youth development and healthy eating and active living, all with an emphasis on disparities or gaps in well-being among children from low-income families. All children everywhere can be successful within and outside of the school walls.
What's Noteworthy From AASA?
2011 Dr. Effie H. Jones Humanitarian Award --The Dr. Effie H. Jones Humanitarian Award honors leadership in educational equity and excellence. Those recognized must be AASA members who mentor and advance women and minorities into positions of educational leadership and/or demonstrate a commitment to address social justice issues affecting children. The deadline for nominations is September 13, 2010.
Summer 2010 Healthy Learning News -- Follow the Leader: Superintendents' Thinking and Actions on Physical Activity. The following School Districts are implementing innovative programs, policies that are creating healthier school environments for students and staff: The School District of Philadelphia (Philadelphia, Pa), Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools (Williamsburg, Va) and Fayette County Public Schools (Lexington, Ky).
Video: Washington Redskin Linebacker Chris Draft addressed AASA’s Urban & Rural Healthy Schools Coalitions at their annual meeting in Memphis, Tenn., regarding the importance of addressing Indoor Air Quality and Asthma issues in schools.
Draft, founder of the Chris Draft Family Foundation, launched the Asthma Team™ in 2007, at the beginning of the NFL season. Following an asthma attack during the first week of the Rams’ training camp, he realized that as he was beginning to work with local organizations across the country that promoted asthma awareness and education, he needed to figure out a way reach out to people nationwide. To accomplish this goal, Draft needed to create a team, united by the common goal of Tackling Asthma™. Find out more about Draft, the Asthma Team™ and the Chris Draft Family Foundation at www.chrisdraftfamilyfoundation.org
AASA supports and applauds First Lady Michelle Obama's initiative to combat childhoood obesity. If you would like technical assistance on aspects of the Let's Move initiative, let us know.
Spring 2010 Healthy Learning News -- How are rural school systems tackling childhood obesity? This issue features three school systems in Beaufort County, S.C.; Jasper County, S.C.; and Jackson-Madison County, Tenn., that have taken on the issue of childhood obesity in the face of poverty and inequality. |  |
Building Success, Leading Change: Stories of Healthy School Environments -- This publication explores the parrallels between urban and rural school districts that have successfully implemented and sustained a healthy learning environment by addressing indoor air quality. Read how the North East Independent School District of San Antonio, Texas, and Auburn, Ala., City Schools have become successful in achieving a healthy school environment.
Asthma Communications Toolkit -- This one-stop online resource for school leaders to obtain information, forms and templates to communicate about asthma management in schools with staff, parents, the community and the media.
AASA Offers Customized Indoor Air Quality Programming
Do you need to improve the indoor air quality of the schools in your district? Are you looking to direct your staff to reliable assistance and training in pest management, HVAC standards and proper maintenance? Do you know what choices to make to ensure that your students’ learning environments are the best suited for active engagement, asthma control and improved test scores? AASA offers its members and their district staff technical assistance, information and networking opportunities proven to help school districts start and sustain customized indoor air quality programs. Complete the Indoor Air Quality Technical Assistance Form (PDF) for individualized assistance and information for your district.