Tips for a Safe and Stress-Free Drive to the Lodge

MCSHC 2011 Annual Conference is December 1-3. If you’ve been in Missouri for any length of time, you know the weather can go from sunny one minute to snowing the next. Also, the Missouri Department of Transportation is in the midst of repairing or replacing 800 bridges in our state. Here are some things you can do to make sure you have a safe, no-hassle drive to the conference:

• Check MoDoT’s road conditions map for real-time updates of road/bridge closures and hazardous conditions.
• Get your car (and your driving habits) in shape for winter with this list from the guys at Car Talk.

Be safe, and we’ll see you at the lodge!
The Power of Partnership:  Strengthening School, Family and Community Connections

 

 

Early Bird Offer Extended for MCSHC Conference

The Early Bird Registration discount for MCSHC’s conference has been extended until Wednesday, November 23. Until then, the rate is $120. That’s a savings of $20 when you register by November 23. Your registration fee covers Friday and Saturday sessions, conference materials, continuing education units, continental breakfast and lunch on Friday, and continental breakfast on Saturday.

If you register by US mail, your registration must be postmarked by November 23. If you register by phone or fax, your registration must be received by 5:00 p.m. November 23. We’re sorry, we cannot accept purchase orders.

Register for the Conference

5 Ways to Enjoy Your Stay at Lodge of the Four Seasons Resort

Come to the MCSHC conference for inspiring keynote speakers, informative sessions and time with your peers across the state. And at the end of a busy day, you can find plenty of ways to relax:

1. Go to the movies without leaving the lodge. Conference headquarters features a 250 seat movie theatre shows free movies nightly for all guests.
2. Take a dip. The lodge’s indoor/outdoor pool and whirlpool are open year-round and are perfect whether you want to get your heart rate up with some exercise or bring it down with some relaxed soaking.
3. Go for a stroll. Located just at the entrance of the resort is a paved walking path for guests. You can take a long walk or a little one while enjoying beautiful views of the lake, golf course and rolling tree-covered hills.
4. Be pampered at Spa Shiki. Make time for a mani/pedi or rejuvenate after the conference with a massage and spa treatment.
5. Try a different restaurant every night. The lodge offers great lunch and dinner options just steps away from the conference rooms. Or, take the lodge’s shuttle to Baxter’s Lakeside Grill and back.

5 Affordable Workshops for School Health Professionals

Come early to MCSHC’s annual conference and attend one of five very affordable pre-conference workshops on Thursday, December 1. Register for one pre-conference session ($50) and your second session will cost only $25. That’s $75 for 6 hours of training and instruction approved for continuing education credit. To register or get more information on the sessions and CEUs, please see our Conference Brochure and Agenda.

1. Vision and Hearing Screening Workshop for School Nurses
Hearing and vision problems have a serious impact on students’ ability to succeed in school. In fact, It’s estimated 1/3 of children with minimal or unilateral hearing loss fail a grade. Early detection of these problems increases the likelihood of effective treatment. This workshop was created by school nurses for school nurses wanting hands on experience with vision and hearing screening tools recommended by the Department of Health and Senior Services. Presented by Deb Cook, RN, Kennett Public School District; Katherine Park, RN, MSN, Parkway School District; and Diane Herndon, RN.

2. Drug Trends in Today’s Schools
This 6-hour introduction to The Missouri Police Chief’s Association 16-hour regional course, Drug Impairment Training for Educational Professionals, is divided into two 3-hour sessions. This is not a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) certification training program, and you must attend both sessions. Presented by Ed Moses,  Missouri Police Chief’s Association.

3. An Ounce of Prevention: Addressing Health Issues of Adolescents and Young Adults
“An Ounce of Prevention” is a new curriculum resource for school nurses, high school teachers and health departments focusing on adolescent and young adult issues. The session will review the resources, activities, assessments, E-learning activities and an educator’s web tutorial included in this research-based curriculum. The curriculum covers specific health issues and features activities to facilitate communication among teens and their parents. Presented by Brenda Bell, MU Extension.

4. Assessing Asthma Control in Students- Are You Doing Your Part?
Walk away from this workshop with the knowledge and skills to assess students with asthma and help them gain control of their asthma. Participants will review the new 2011 Missouri School Asthma Manual and learn and practice key asthma skills such as: 1) use a digital flow meter to measure airflow (FEV1 and PEF), and 2) assess and coach inhalation technique with the In-Check Dial®. Participants will learn how to use FEV1 to calculate “target time” to coach student’s optimal inhalation technique. Presented by Deb Cook, RN, Kennett Public School District; Diane Herndon, RN; Tammy Rood, CPNP- PC, MSN, AE-C, Teaming Up for Asthma Control Program.

5. Developing Individualized Health Care Plans for School Nurses
Learn how to identify student’s health needs that require intervention during school hours, and how to apply the findings to the development of an Individualized Healthcare Plan (IHP) and Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for the student. Presented by Jean Grabeel, RN, MEd; Lee Ann Neill, RN; Charlotte Roberds RN, Eileen Duty, RN.

 

Reserve Your Room by November 1 for Group Rates!

The Lodge of the Four Seasons is a beautiful setting for our conference, and is sure to get you in the holiday spirit!

Our annual conference is less than 6 weeks away! Reserve your room at Lodge of Four Seasons Resort by November 1 for a group rate of $83 per night.

After November 1, your reservation will be subject to availability. The room rate applies 2 days before and after the official dates of the conference based on availability, so bring your family for holiday shopping and fun.

The Lodge of Four Seasons Resort also offers two- and three- bedroom condominiums, which are ideal for bringing your entire coordinated school health team!

See our Conference Brochure for more details.

 

How to Help Staff Foster School Connectedness

The CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health has published Fostering School Connectedness Staff Development Program. The guide provides step-by-step procedures, activities, materials, resources, and PowerPoint^® presentations (with speaker narrative and notes) for implementing two staff development programs, a 45-minute basic overview of school connectedness or  a 2-hour program to develop action plans for improving school connectedness.

Read more about CDC’s school connectedness resources and access this staff development guide and related Powerpoint^®presentations.

4 Resources for Implementing CDC’s School Health Guidelines to Promote Healthy Eating and Physical Activity

This facilitator's guide is just one of the new resources from the CDC.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Adolescent and School Health is pleased to announce the release of newly developed resources to help implement the School Health Guidelines to Promote Healthy Eating and Physical Activity, published in September 2011. The public-use materials include:

1.  A  PowerPoint® presentation on implementing the guidelines (with narrator notes and talking points for each slide; for use in meetings, continuing education programs, training of the trainers, and conferences)
2.  A Facilitator’s Guide for the PowerPoint® presentation (including handouts and step-by-step instructions for delivering the presentation and implementing professional development activities)
3. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the guidelines, PowerPoint® presentation, and the Facilitator’s Guide
4. A Reference List (providing scientific evidence for the information provided in the presentation)

Developed in collaboration with nutrition and physical activity experts across the nation, the guidelines identify the most effective policies and practices schools can implement to help young people adopt and maintain healthy eating habits and a physically active lifestyle. Each of nine guidelines is accompanied by a set of strategies that can help schools work toward achieving each guideline.

The newly released guidelines and supplemental resources are highlighted in a CDC.gov Features article, “Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity.” The Feature article will be available in Spanish, as well (on the CDC en Espanol Web page), on October 24^th.

New Briefs Summarize Youth Drunk Driving and Substance Abuse in MO

The two latest hot topic briefs from the Missouri Behavioral Health Epidemiology Workgroup (MO-BHEW) have been published. The first discusses drunk driving; the second looks at the relationship between self-reported depression levels and substance use in Missouri youth. About MO-BHEW

Depression and Substance Use in Missouri Youth (August 2011)

Drunk Driving in Missouri (July 2011)

Conference Registration Includes CEUs

Continuing education credits for nursing, social work and health education have all been approved for each day of the conference, and we are so pleased to announce that credits for nurses and social workers are included in the conference registration!

Need details? Keep reading…

Nursing: SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Missouri Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

CEU’s for this conference have been approved. If attending the complete conference – Thursday through Saturday, 14.5 contact hours will be awarded as follows: Thursday, December 1 – 6.5, Friday, December 2 – 5.75, Saturday, December 3 – 2.25. Each nurse wanting CEUs MUST sign in each day she/he is in attendance at the registration desk. Certificates will be passed out when you leave the conference.
Fee: Free with Conference Registration

Social Work: Application has been submitted to the NASW-Missouri Chapter and the conference has been approved for 15.25 social work clock hours. Individuals interested in obtaining social work clock hours need to be validated as present at the conference at the registration desk and receive an attendance sign-in sheet. The sign-in sheet need to be turned in to the registration desk when you leave the conference. MCSHC will send out the certificates 4 to 6 weeks after the conference.
Fee: Free with Conference Registration

CHES: Health Educators: Application has been made for up to13.75 hours of Category I Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credits for the pre-conference & the conference. Each professional should only claim the hours or credit that he or she spent in the educational activity.
Fee: $2.00 for every hour of credit earned. Checks should be made to MO Public Health Association Foundation.

Dynamic, Diverse Keynote Speakers Know the Power of Partnerships

Dan Meers will kick off our annual conference with the same enthusiasm he brings to his 350 yearly appearances as KC Wolf, the mascot of the Kansas City Chiefs. He will share tips for connecting families, schools and communities, and he’ll share his insights on promoting good nutrition and physical activity in schools.

Dr. Kevin Kopp, principal of High Pointe Elementary School in Nixa Missouri, is well-known in his community for his efforts to promote good health. In June, his school received national recognition for achieving the Bronze level of the HealthierUS School Challenge, and he recently let us know he has been invited to attend a White House reception hosted by Michelle Obama in October.

Michelle Owens is the National Student and Employee Wellness Manager for the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program. She has worked to help create healthier environments in schools across the country and will share advice for engaging schools, communities and faith-based organizations in the the effort to promote healthy habits for children.