The Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Independence Blue Cross Team Up to Address Childho...(e. School is the ideal environ...),Health

"School is the ideal environment to promote good health because of the many diverse opportunities for students to learn about and practice healthy habits, such as eating right and exercising," said Joseph A. Frick, president and CEO of Independence Blue Cross. "By building on the trusting relationships kids have with their teachers, nurses, and others at school, we're making a great start at creating a future generation of healthier adults. We're very pleased that the Archdiocese recognizes this special opportunity and has adopted Health eTools for Schools."

How the program will help the archdiocese

Teachers, school nurses, and other education professionals will use Health eTools for Schools through a secure web portal. The program provides electronic health records, including health screenings such as body mass index, vision, and hearing that will help Archdiocese school administrators more easily comply with federal and state mandates regarding health and wellness. Physical education teachers at the Archdiocese will use the tool to create customized fitness assessments and tailor interventions to students' needs and school resources. The tool will also help schools better communicate with parents about the specific fitness levels and needs of their children.

"The Archdiocese strives to provide our students with a holistic education focused on enriching their minds, bodies and souls, and Health eTools for Schools is an innovative way to stress the importance of being healthy," said Mary E. Rochford, superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. "Health eTools for Schools will integrate perfectly with our new wellness campaign by allowing our educators to access health information quickly, create comprehensive wellness plans, and apply best practices in keeping our students healthy. The program includes more than 500 lesson plans for all grade levels that teach physical education and n
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