Some Oklahoma students have suffered mentally, physically, and emotionally during the year of the COVID-19 pandemic.Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed a bill that will require schools to receive health education, which was previously not mandatory. on the long list of states mandating health education in public schools. schoolchildren learn all aspects of health awareness and nutrition, which go beyond physical education. “It’s also about mental health, social, emotional and physical well-being,” Hofmeister said. Oklahoma children between the ages of 10 and 17 are considered obese, which ranks the state earlier worse than 42 other states. Hofmeister said families have access to fresh fruits and vegetables in their county It’s important. “Kids who are food insecure, we’re also trying to address that with partners who work with our regional food banks with parents and families in crisis,” Hofmeister said. t will be in effect until the 2023-24 school year, but Hofmeister encourages districts to start teaching it now. She said starting education for sound nutrition, mental and physical health is the key to a productive childhood. “We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and help our districts find ways to incorporate this,” Hofmeister said.
Some Oklahoma students have suffered mentally, physically, and emotionally during the year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Governor Kevin Stitt has signed a bill that will require schools to receive health education, which was not previously required.
“Oklahoma is one of the few states that does not have required health education,” said State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister.
The Sooner State is now on the long list of states mandating health education in public schools.
“We had the State Department of Education, academic health education standards, but we didn’t have a requirement,” Hofmeister said.
The Health Education Act ensures that all Oklahoma public school students learn all aspects of health awareness and nutrition, which go beyond physical education.
“It’s also about mental health, social, emotional and physical well-being,” Hofmeister said.
According to the State of Childhood Obesity, more than 18 percent of Oklahoma children between the ages of 10 and 17 are considered obese, which ranks the Sooner State worse than 42 other states.
Hofmeister said families with access to fresh fruits and vegetables in their community are important.
“Kids who are food insecure, we’re also trying to address that with partners who work with our regional food banks with parents and families in crisis,” Hofmeister said.
The law won’t go into effect until the 2023-24 school year, but Hofmeister is encouraging districts to start teaching it now. She said starting education for sound nutrition, mental and physical health is the key to a productive childhood.
“We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and help our districts find ways to incorporate this,” Hofmeister said.
