Coordinated School Health
Health Literacy and a Coordinated Approach
The aim of the California Coordinated School Health Program is to enable California’s children and adolescents to become healthy, successful students at school and contributing members in their communities. The program builds a healthy foundation upon which students in California can develop their capabilities for leading rewarding and productive lives.
A coordinated school health approach effectively addresses students’ health, thus improving their ability to learn. This approach features eight interrelated components: health education; physical education; school health services; school nutrition services; school counseling, psychological, and social services; a healthy school environment; and school-site promotion of health for staff.
These components work together to develop and reinforce health-related knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors and make health an important priority at school. The components are linked in a mutually supportive, cooperative system focusing on children's health issues and the development of health literacy.
No single component will achieve the level of health students need to support academic achievement. A coordinated approach to school health improves students' health and their capacity to learn through the support of families, schools, and communities working together. Following are the eight components of coordinated school health and links to related programs, information, and materials.
Additional Resources
CA Department of Education Coordinated School Health Program
The 8 Components of Coordinated School Health
Health Education
A planned, sequential, K-8 curriculum that addresses the physical, mental, emotional and social dimensions of health.
Physical Education
A planned, sequential K-8 curriculum provides cognitive content and learning experiences in a variety of activity areas such as: basic movement skills, physical fitness, games, and team/dual/individual sports.
Parent and Community Involvement
An integrated school, parent, and community approach for enhancing the health and well-being of students.
Nutrition Services
SUSD provides access to a variety of nutritious meals that accommodate the health and nutrition needs of all students.
Health Services
Services provided for students to appraise, protect, and promote health. These services include on site care in event of injury or illness until parents arrive.
Psychological and Counseling Services
Services are provided to improve students' mental, emotional, and social health. Services include individual and group assessments, interventions, and referrals.
Safe and Healthy School Environments
The physical and aesthetic surroundings and the psychosocial climate and culture of the school.
Health Promotion for Staff
Opportunities for school staff to improve their health status through activities such as health assessments, health education, wellness fair, and health-related activities.
Questions? Please contact District Nurse Cristina Lee, clee@saratogausd.org, or Educational Services educationalservices@saratogausd.org