Supporting Healthy Schools

Related Pages
CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

adult helping children at crosswalk

Supporting Healthy Schools

When parents, families, and communities are engaged in children’s school activities, students get better grades, choose healthier behaviors, and have better social skills.

circle of icons for parents, families, communities, better grades, healthy behaviors, and better social skills
School health activities are also more successful when parents and caregivers are involved.
Learn more at http://bit.ly/CDCCHealthySchoolsexternal icon.

What Parents Can Do to Support Healthier Schools

filling bottle with water

Ask that water be
available all day.

group of adults sitting in circle

Join the School Wellness Team
to support healthy practices.

teacher and students raising hands

Encourage educators to
reward kids with extra time
for recess or a special game
instead of unhealthy snacks.

teenagers sitting on mat

Encourage kids to sign up
for after-school physical
activity offered by the
school—or volunteer to lead.

children walking with backpacks

Talk with neighbors about
forming a walking school
bus—taking turns walking
safely to and from school.

dad helping child on bike

Support safe walking and
biking routes to school if
the community does not
already have them.

For more health tips on packing your child’s backpack, visit http://bit.ly/CDCCBackToSchoolexternal icon.
For more about how to prevent chronic disease and maintain a healthy lifestyle,
follow @CDCChronic on Twitter or visit cdc.gov/chronicdisease.

Supporting Healthy Schools pdf icon[PDF – 696 KB]

Page last reviewed: August 8, 2019
Content source: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion