By Rob Bisceglie, Executive Officer/President at Action for Healthy Kids

My three kids—now a sophomore in college, senior in high school, and freshman in high school—have grown up during my 17 years at Action for Healthy Kids. As I look back to all that my kids and children across the nation have experienced during their years in elementary and middle school over the last decade and more, I’m both inspired by the work our schools have done to promote the health and well-being of our kids and fully aware of the challenges we face today.  

Mental Health Crisis: This school year, we’ve seen an unprecedented focus on student mental health. Our recent Parent and Child Mental Health Survey revealed that many parents not only worry about their children’s mental health, particularly in the wake of the pandemic, but 74% of parents strongly support schools providing mental health resources​​. Anxiety and depression are prevalent, and it’s crucial that we provide the necessary resources to support our kids. Schools have become a critical touchpoint for delivering mental health services, and parents overwhelmingly support these efforts. In fact, nearly two-thirds of parents in our survey want training to better understand and support their child’s mental health and well-being.  

Chronic Absenteeism and Academic Pressures: We have witnessed firsthand the impact that our mental health crisis and other stressors have on our children. Although some states are witnessing improvements in chronic absenteeism (see FutureEd report here), it remains a significant issue, particularly in socially, culturally, and economically diverse communities. Our survey highlighted that parents are concerned about their children falling behind academically, with 49% of parents expressing this worry​​. Schools are tackling this issue by providing tutoring services, implementing early warning systems to identify at-risk students, and engaging families to understand and mitigate the barriers to attendance. 

School Safety: Ensuring that our children feel safe at school is a top priority, encompassing both physical safety and mental well-being. Physical safety measures include preventing school violence and enhancing security protocols, among others. Mental safety includes creating environments where students feel respected and included. For example, schools are increasingly implementing anti-bullying programs and promoting social-emotional learning to address these needs. Parents have highlighted the importance of having mental health professionals available and ensuring that all students feel valued and understood. By focusing on these areas, we help make schools safe and supportive spaces for every student. 

Healthy Eating in Schools: Another one of the key challenges schools face today is ensuring that students have access to nutritious meals that support their health and academic performance. Many schools, including those in small and rural communities, struggle with limited budgets, which can make it difficult to purchase needed equipment, source high-quality ingredients, and produce diverse meal options. This year, we’ve seen significant efforts to address these issues, including through our USDA-funded Healthy Meals Incentives (HMI) program, which supports schools nationwide in enhancing their school meal programs. With some financial support, the progress we’ve witnessed in our school partners during the first school year of the program has been remarkable. You can read about some of our recent awardees here and learn more about how your local school can apply for a Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Award and participate in our upcoming Healthy Meals Summit in October. 

Physical Health and Inactivity: Physical activity has always been a cornerstone of our work at Action for Healthy Kids. Alarmingly, less than 25% of children aged 6-17 get the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity. This lack of physical activity is linked to numerous health issues, including poor mental health. Schools play a vital role in addressing this challenge. Through our Active Schools initiative, we support schools in integrating physical activity into the daily routine, not just in PE classes, but also through active classroom breaks, recess, and before- and after-school programs. Schools are creating environments that encourage movement and play, helping students stay active and engaged throughout the day. These efforts are crucial to fostering lifelong healthy habits and improving overall student well-being.  

My daughter’s transition to high school marks the end of an era for our family and the beginning of a new chapter. Similarly, Action for Healthy Kids is poised to enter a new phase of growth and impact. Our board of directors recently approved our new strategic plan, which I’m confident is the most visionary to date, and I look forward to sharing our direction with you in a future newsletter. 

In the meantime, I remain filled with optimism. The dedication of our team, the support of our partners, and most impressively, the resilience of our partner school communities inspire me every day. Together, we can continue to champion the health and well-being of our children, ensuring they have the tools and support they need to thrive. After all, we know that healthy kids make a better world. 

Thank you for being a part of this journey. Here’s to a brighter, healthier future for all our kids. 

Yours in good health, 

Rob