Communicating about Food Allergies at School

Most principals tell us that life-threatening food allergies are on the rise. Let's consider peanuts for starters. According to the Food Allergy Initiative, the number of U.S. children with peanut allergy doubled between 1997 and 2002. Studies in the United Kingdom and Canada also showed a high rate of peanut allergy in school-aged children.

But peanuts aren't the only problem. Kids can have serious allergies to products containing eggs, milk, tree nuts, soy, fish and more. Just this past October, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that in 2007, approximately 3 million U.S. children and teenagers under age 18 reported having a food or digestive allergy in the past year, compared to just over 2.3 million in 1997.

Teamwork between principals, teachers, parents and students is vital to keeping these children safe at school. A school policy should be in place. Communication is key to establishing and maintaining this team.

If you need help in developing a food allergy policy, the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network created a tool kit for schools. It's posted at www.foodallergy.org. Also, the Food Allergy Initiative web site at www.faiusa.org includes a sample letter about peanut allergies for principals. The site also includes detailed information about other types of food allergies, tips for food service professionals and resources for parents.

(Courtesy of PRincipal Communicator/January 2009, National School Public Relations Association)

Public Comments Sought for Upcoming DMACC Accreditation Visit

The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools will be conducting an accreditation evaluation of Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) March 25-27, 2009. The Commission is seeking public comments on DMACC prior to the accreditation visit.

If you would like to make comments about the quality of DMACC or its academic programs, please submit your comments to the following address:

Public Comment on DMACC
The Higher Learning Commission
30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60602 or
http://www.ncahlc.org

Written, signed comments must be received by Feb. 25, 2009. Comments should include the name, address, and telephone number of the person providing the comments. Comments will not be treated as confidential.

Note: Individuals with a specific dispute or grievance with an institution should request the separate Policy on Complaints document from the Commission office.

DMACC has been accredited by the Commission since 1974. The Commission is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Stay Up-To-Date on Iowa School Leader Professional Development Offerings

In an effort to better market their Web site, Professional Development for Iowa School Leaders is issuing a news article every month during the school year. The article for December is here. Feel free to use the article as is or edit to your heart's content. In the coming months after the holidays, it will be issued on the first of the month. Each article will feature new information about their Web site.

Please send this article to whomever in your organization is preparing print or electronic communications aimed at Iowa school leaders.

Also, available are some graphics for both print and electronic use-- in both color or black.

Graphics and the article archive is here: http://iowaschoolleadership.org/news/

Getting Your Message Heard With Budget Cuts Looming

As you begin to develop your annual budget, begin “mainstreaming” your communication function into your district’s operation. Click here to read budget advice on communication by Communication Matters for Leading Superintendents, a publication by the National School Public Relations Association.

Unsung Heros Progam and SAMMY Awards

Unsung Heroes Funds Innovative Classroom Project
The ING Unsung Heroes program has helped more than a thousand K-12 educators and their schools fund innovative classroom projects through awards totaling more than $3 million. The awards range from $25,000 to Grand Prize Winner. Eligibility is for full-time educators, teachers, principals, paraprofessionals or classified staff members with effective projects that improve student learning at an accredited K-12 public or private school.

The deadline is April 30, 2009. Click here for the application.


NSPRA Co-Sponsors SAMMY Awards
Co-sponsored by the National School Public Relations Association, the Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year (SAMMY) award provides scholar athletes with an exciting financial-assistance opportunity for college scholarships. Twenty-five student-athletes will receive a $7,500 scholarship, an all-expense paid trip to Disney's Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida and a spot in a special Milk Mustache ad to run in USA TODAY.

The deadline is Friday, March 6, 2009. For more information, please click here.

Heartland Behavior Classes Offered this Spring

Heartland AEA is adding two behavior classes to the spring calendar. Please pass this information on to teachers who may be interested in learning more about these important topics.

Class: Behavior Strategies
Description: This class will focus on preventative strategies based on effective classroom management, as well as individualized strategies for behavior change.
Dates and Times: April 10th and May 8th (8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. both days)
Location: Zion Lutheran Church, Des Moines
Activity Number: IS001199990902

Class: Deescalation Strategies
Description: This is a course designed to most appropriately address potential problematic situations of students whose behaviors exist with a supplemental level of need.
Dates and Times: January 13th (8:30-11:30 a.m.) and February 3rd (12:30-3:30 p.m.)
Location: St. Mary of Nazareth Church, Des Moines
Activity Number: CM002099990902

Register through the Professional Development catalog on the Heartland Web site or by clicking here.