Atlantic coast high school graduation 2019

Atlantic Coast High School

Jacksonville, Florida

November 15, 2018

Elizabeth Duncan, Health Board Director

Atlantic Coast High School Health Board

Atlantic Coast High School

Jacksonville, FL

Dear Director Duncan,

As a general practitioner, certified dietician and current mother of two students attending Atlantic Coast High School, I am concerned about the current health program being implemented at the school.

Students at Atlantic Coast are not encouraged to participate in any physical activities during gym class, even though the school has enough resources to do so. I am certain that you and the rest of the Health Board agree that the students are the priority, especially their health. If Atlantic Coast’s current physical education and health program continues, there is a possibility that some student will contract long-term health conditions.

As a result, I am submitting the following health program proposal for you to consider in order to better the lifestyle of Atlantic Coast’s students.

Sincerely,

Dietician and general practitioner, Mayo Clinic

A Health Program Proposal

For

Atlantic Coast High School

(2018-2019)

Prepared for

Atlantic Coast Health Board

Atlantic Coast High School

Jacksonville, Florida

By

General practitioner and certified dietician

November 15, 2018

Table of Contents

Page

Informative Abstract……………………………………………………………. 4

Introduction……………………………………………………………………....5

Overview…………………………………………………………………..5

Objective…………………………………………………………………..5

Background………………………………………………………………..5

Need……………………………………………………………………….5

Benefits……………………………………………………………………5 Data Sources………………………………………………………………6

Scope……………………………………………………………………...6

Proposed Plan……………………………………………………………………7

Objectives and Methods…………………………………………………..7

Cost and Budget…………………………………………………………..7,8

Feasibility…………………………………………………………………8

Conclusion……………………………………………………………………….9

Works Cited……………………………………………………………………..10

Informative Abstract

At Atlantic Coast High School, students have the opportunity and the resources to demonstrate their physical capabilities through extracurricular activities. Unfortunately, the physical education program at the school does not have an organized plan in order to encourage students to maintain a healthy lifestyle during the general gym class.

Introduction

Overview

Atlantic Coast High School students are experiencing a health dilemma, struggling to follow and maintain a healthy physical program for its students. The following proposal addresses said crisis. Nevertheless, the renovation of the school’s physical education/health program depends on the Health Board’s willingness to approve a long-overdue improvement of its students’ health.

Objective

This proposal explains the situation regarding the current health program at Atlantic Coast High School. Then, it recommends a new and improved physical education and health program for the school to implement in their gym classes.

Background

For years, Atlantic Coast High School has used a physical education program that does not enforce any physical activity from its students. As teenagers, it is recommended for them to have approximately 60 minutes of any type of physical activity every day, including aerobics and muscle/bone-strengthening exercises (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

Need

The lack of physical activity performed by students at Atlantic Coast High School could potentially cause long-term health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, regular physical inactivity could also have a negative effect on stress, memory, and other cognitive performance.

Benefits

The implementation of this new physical education and health program will not only prevent health conditions and diseases but will influence the development of a healthy lifestyle and even improve their self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-discipline. Additionally, studies done by a psychology professor named Justin Rhodes indicated that exercise helps enhance cognitive flexibility (New York Times).

Data Sources

The data provided in the proposal comes from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, many years of research as a certified dietician, and also my experience as a high school graduate from Atlantic Coast High School.

Scope

The following plan includes a detailed number of new activities the students can participate in, an outline of the organization of new classes, costs for new equipment, jerseys, and feasibility to assess the probability of success of this new program.

Proposed Plan

Objective/Method

We can improve the overall health of our students by taking these steps:

· Reducing the number of students per class. On average, a gym class section consists of about 30 people, but there are four other sections cluttered together in the gymnasium. With smaller, separate classes, teachers will be able to keep track of each student’s performance and be able to guide everyone accordingly.

· Have an organized schedule of sports played throughout the year. If students are encouraged to participate in activities such as soccer, basketball, and volleyball, they will have the opportunity of trying out new sports and even find a new hobby they might enjoy. Each student’s performance will be graded based on effort and attitude.

· Implement a theoretic class during gym class. We can help students have a deeper understanding of the importance of their physical wellbeing by creating a less active but more informative class which explains how to live a healthier life.

Available Facilities

The gymnasium, soccer field, baseball field and indoor sport courts will be excellent facilities where students will be encouraged to participate in the activities planned.

Cost and Budget

Our proposed budget is itemized in Table 1, listing the cost for new equipment and current salaries for personnel

Projected Costs

New equipment

Balls (softball, kickball, tennis, etc.) $100

Jerseys $100

Subtotal $200

Wages and Salaries

Physical Education teachers (4) $8,000

Nutritionist/Health supervisor $2,500

Subtotal $10,500

Total yearly costs $10,700

Feasibility

Atlantic Coast High School is one of the schools with the highest obesity rates, along with four other public high schools in Duval County. In a survey conducted for high school students of the four high schools in the area, it was assessed that only 21.1% of students participate in at least one hour of exercise in a week (Center for Chronic Disease Prevention). That means, three out of four students do not exercise the recommended amount. However, six months after the health program was put into effect in Stanton College Preparatory High School in Jacksonville, a survey was conducted in order to assess the results and reliability of the program. It was found that more than 50% of students were exercising at least three times a week, and their academic performance improved as well.

In a research done by the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, it was said that students who participate in physical activities regularly tend to receive better grades, school attendance, and cognitive performance. As the statistics below show, the upgraded program was successful in bettering the health habits of high school students.

Conclusion

As a recognized public high school, Atlantic Coast should reflect the same recognition for caring about their students’ physical wellbeing. With this incentivizing program, students will be able to grow as healthy, active individuals with a lifestyle that will make an impact in their bright futures.

I respectfully urge the Health Board to consider implementing a new health program at the school, which will not require an incredible amount of money or effort.

Works Cited

“Healthy Schools.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 9 Apr. 2018, www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/physicalactivity/facts.htm.

“THE TREMENDOUS BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN SCHOOL.” The Tremendous Benefits of Physical Education in School, www.phitworld.org/Benefits_of_P_E__in_School.htm.

Reynolds, Gretchen. “How Exercise Could Lead to a Better Brain.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 18 Apr. 2012, www.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/magazine/how-exercise-could-lead-to-a-better-brain.html.