Glossary

To locate a glossary term, start by clicking the first letter of the word in the index below.

A

B

C

D

E

F

H

I

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

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A

Active and passive support of harassment/ bullying - Active support is when witnesses (bystanders) of bullying behavior join in or encourage the bullying behavior. Passive support is when witnesses of bullying behavior do nothing to stop the behavior, therefore supporting the behavior to continue.

Active supervision means using practices such as observing, listening to students, anticipating and effectively responding to unsafe situations, and discouraging pushing and bullying.

Advocate means to recommend or encourage.

A la carte options are food items students can choose that aren't usually counted as part of a reimbursable school meal.

Adequate facilities for physical activity means PE class or other physical activity programs do not need to be canceled due to weather extremes or local elections and facilities can be used without overcrowding.

All staff includes administrators and clerical workers, school nurses, teachers, substitute teachers, coaches, aides, bus drivers, food service staff, security personnel, grounds and custodial staff, substitute and teachers.

Allergy action plan must state what the policy needs to be for the classroom to keep the child safe. Example: Peanut-free classroom or safe replacement snack on hand for allergenic child.

Asthma action/management plan is a written plan signed by a health care provider that tells people with asthma, or those who care for them, how to take care of asthma symptoms. This includes a list of what triggers their asthma, what to do every day to prevent symptoms, and also what to do if symptoms are very bad, or severe. This plan should be developed together with a health care provider and family members. When used properly, the plan can help people control their asthma.

Asset development means helping people develop the building blocks (assets) they need to succeed.

Asthma management education should include the following topics:

Automated External Defibrillator or AED is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the potentially life threatening cardiac arrhythmias of and is able to treat them by application of electrical therapy which stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to re-establish an effective rhythm. AEDs are designed to be simple to use for the lay person and the use of AEDs is taught in many first aid, first responder, and basic life support CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) classes.

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B

Behavior plans are formal, written, mutually agreed upon plan outlining behavior goals, expectations, and/or modifications. Behavior Plans are created to help students who are experiencing behavior concerns that are impeding their success in a classroom or other school setting. Behavior plans are usually developed by a team that includes the student, and focus on the student's strengths and abilities.

Biological and other hazards - A biological hazard is an organism, or substance derived from an organism, that poses a threat to (primarily) human health. This can include medical waste, samples of a microorganism, virus or toxin (from a biological source) that can impact human health. Other hazards may include chemical, radiological, and or nuclear.

Bullying is conduct that is directed at one or more pupils; substantially interferes with educational opportunities, benefits, or programs of one or more pupils; adversely affects the ability of a pupil to participate in or benefit from the school district's educational programs or activities by placing the pupil in reasonable fear of physical harm or by causing emotional distress; and, is based on a pupil's actual or perceived distinguishing characteristic, or is based on an association with another person who has or is perceived to have any of these characteristics.

Bullying prevention means programs and/or initiatives that help to promote a positive school climate and address bullying issues.

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C

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency medical procedure for a victim of cardiac arrest or, in some circumstances, respiratory arrest. CPR consists of artificial blood circulation and artificial respiration (i.e. chest compressions and lung ventilation).

Case management services are services provided by either an individual or a team of medical professionals, school staff, and/or social work staff. The services can include home, physician and school visits to help the student and family gain and maintain control of asthma in all settings.

Confidentiality refers to the right of a person to have personal, identifiable information kept private; such information should be available only to authorized individuals. Private information should not be disclosed to unauthorized individuals.

Continuing education for interscholastic coachesmeans courses taught within a college/university program or by the school district, community youth sports programs or state and national coaching education programs.

Coordinated School Health Team (CSHT) is a group of school and community members committed to working together to create a healthier school environment to ensure that students are fit, healthy and ready to learn. The CSHT concept is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a mechanism to advise school systems on all aspects of school health. One important CSHT role is to promote the development of policies and recommendations for changes that offer opportunities for students to make healthy choices.

Coordinated School Health Team (CSHT) leader coordinates the work of the school team, helps keep everyone on track and plans meetings.

Credentialed/certification in food service means the food service director/manager has been awarded a credential or certification by the state or national food service association.

Crisis includes environmental disaster (e.g., fire, flood, tornado, blizzard, earthquake), death or serious injury of a student or staff member, suicide attempt, terrorism, bioterrorism, hazardous chemical spill, explosion, radiation release, mass illness or injury, or any other situation that threatens safety in the school.

Crisis response - tabletop or actual are procedures learned and practiced in order to respond to a real (actual) or simulated (table-top) crisis.

Cross-cutting questions are questions that apply to all health topic areas and are included in a module regardless of the topics that you select. Some cross-cutting questions pertain to the important infrastructures that schools put in place to encourage and sustain positive changes and thus pertain to all areas. Other cross-cutting questions pertain to more than one topic area and hence are cross-cutting. These questions can be identified by (CC) just after the question number.

Culturally competent curriculum means that curriculum respects the values, attitudes and beliefs that differ across cultures and these differences are considered in planning, implementing and evaluating the health education program.

Cultural norms are the behavior patterns that are typical of specific groups. They are the shared, sanctioned, and integrated systems of beliefs and practices that characterize a cultural group.

 

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D

De-escalation skills are the ability to keep a person(s) from escalating into a potentially dangerous and physical acting out situation.

Developmentally appropriate curriculum means the curriculum teaches concepts and skills that are appropriate to the age and level of students.

Disciplinary methods refer to a multi-faceted approach, including rewards and punishments that teach and reinforce desired behavior

 

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E

Effective instruction means all teachers are highly skilled in and use a variety of instructional methods and techniques. There are clear instructional objectives, activities are tied to objectives, and there is frequent monitoring and evaluation of student progress toward those objectives.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are generally provided by employers or jointly by employers and unions, and may be linked to the employee benefit structure. These programs vary greatly in the services they provide. Some programs focus only on substance abuse issues; others have a general approach to a range of employee and family problems. Some include proactive prevention and health and wellness activities, as well as problem identification and referral.

Evidence-based means proven through research to be effective in producing the desired outcome.

Evidence-based classroom strategies are practical approaches and/or techniques used in a classroom setting that are proven through research to be effective in producing the desired outcome/behavior.

Exploitation is the taking advantage of someone for one's own benefit, be it economic, social, sexual, or other.

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F

504b plan is a written educational plan that addresses environmental accommodations for a student with a physical disability; such plans ensure that physical disabilities do not create barriers to a student’s education.

Facilitate means to identify and refer students to case management services.

Federally-reimbursable school meals are school breakfast and school lunch, not a la carte. Every School District is evaluated by MI Dept of Education School Meal Unit once every five years. Your district School Meals Nutrition Review (SMI) may help you determine whether you are meeting the Federal requirements for total and saturated fat. Contact your food service director for your SMI results and further assistance.

Foods with low nutrient value or nutrient density offer little in terms of protein, vitamins or minerals and lots of calories from sugar or fat. Food and beverages with low nutrient value do not meet the 2007 Institute of Medicine (IOM) Nutrition Standards for Food in Schools. The term "empty calories" reflects the lack of nutrients. Salted snack foods, candy, gum, most sweet desserts, fried fast food and carbonated beverages are some examples.

Full policy implementation means that all school staff knows about and understands the policy and that all school staff implements the policy in all school venues at all times. Mechanisms and procedures are in place to ensure that the policy is consistently enforced.

Fitness assessments measure aerobic capacity, flexibility, and muscle strength and endurance.

Follow up services for employees at risk for chronic disease include referrals to resources or for further diagnostic testing for individuals who are identified as being high-risk for one or more diseases. A follow-up contact should be done to find out if the referral was successful.

Fully accessible meals means the school offers free and reduced-price meals for students who meet income requirements in a way that they are not identified by other students as recipients of these programs.

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H

Harassment is conduct that is directed at one or more pupils; substantially interferes with educational opportunities, benefits, or programs of one or more pupils; adversely affects the ability of a pupil to participate in or benefit from the school district's educational programs or activities because the conduct, as reasonably perceived by the pupil, is so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive as to have this effect; and, is based on a pupil's actual or perceived distinguishing characteristic, or is based on an association with another person who has or is perceived to have any of these characteristics.

Health risk appraisals (HRAs) assess how lifestyle behaviors affect health. Generally, HRAs offer an individualized report with recommendations for maintaining or improving health.

Health screenings involve a relatively quick and simple measure of physiologic status. The results give an indication of further follow up (rather than being definitively diagnostic) for a variety of conditions where early detection can increase the chances of successful treatment. Examples of items that are often part of health screenings include

• height and weight
• blood pressure
• cholesterol level
• blood sugar level
• tobacco use
• alcohol and substance use
• safety (e.g., seat belts, helmets, smoke alarms, drinking and driving)
• mental health

Health services provider means a licensed registered nurse or other licensed health professional (i.e. doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant) from the community providing service to the school on a contracted or volunteer basis. School nurse means a licensed nurse employed by or assigned to a school or district.

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I

Identify students diagnosed by a health care provider with asthma means to:

• Conduct asthma case identification by reviewing health history intake forms, emergency contact forms, and requests for medication administration to identify students diagnosed with asthma. Most schools should avoid asthma screening (spirometry) or case detection (symptom surveys).
• Compile a confidential list of students diagnosed with asthma.

Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is a written document or formal educational plan that addresses a student’s needs. It may include specific accommodations, materials, or classroom instruction. It must include annual goals for the individual and a description of special services a student needs to participate in school. The IEP is required by federal law for students needing special education services.

Interpersonal communication is the process of sending and receiving information between two or more people. It includes all aspects of personal interaction, contact and communication.

Interscholastic sports are school-sponsored sports teams that give students team experience by competing against other school teams. Examples include: Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Competitive Cheer, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Skiing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball, Wrestling.

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L

Lock down (also called shelter-in-place) is a procedure that keeps students/staff in the building with the facility secured so no one comes or goes until released by authorities, however business as usual inside.

Low-fat foods are items containing no more than 3 grams fat per serving. This usually does not include items such as fries or other fried foods, foods cooked with or covered with butter or margarine, fruit pies or cobblers, cookies, cakes and pastries.

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M

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) refers to a written plan between two or more parties for carrying out separate activities in a coordinated and mutually beneficial manner. It defines the roles and responsibilities of each party. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) is essential when utilizing the services of local community-based mental health providers. Having an MOU in place improves access to services for students and families and avoids confusion regarding the roles and responsibilities of school staff and the local providers of mental health services.

Mental health refers to a state of successful performance of mental function, resulting in productive activities, fulfilling relationships with other people, and the ability to adapt to change and to cope with adversity. It is indispensable to personal well-being, family and interpersonal relationships, and contribution to community or society.

Mental health concerns are “red flags” about a student’s inability to respond or adapt in school environment situations with emotional and/or behavioral stability.

Mental health issues are similar to "mental health concerns" although previous concerns have now become more problematic and have been identified and possibly diagnosed.

Mental health services refer to services such as counseling, therapy, providing referrals and/or assistance with locating needed resources, to help support someone who is at risk for or has developed a mental health concern.

Mental illness refers to any of various disorders caused by physiological or psychosocial factors and characterized by the impairment of normal cognitive, emotional, or behavioral functioning. Mental illness can impact the ability of a person to function effectively in day to day activities.

MI Model for Health ® Curriculum is a K-12 health education curriculum that is research and skill based, sequential and developmentally appropriate. It is also culturally competent.

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N

Nutrient-dense foods provide higher levels of a variety of vitamins and minerals, including calcium, and fiber. Examples include a variety of fruits and vegetables, milk, cheese & yogurt, and whole grain products.

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O

Offer staff training means that the school or district has a special arrangement for staff to participate in training programs on these topics either on-site or through a community program off-site.

OSHA-bloodborne pathogens - Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms in the blood or other body fluids that can cause illness and disease in people. These microorganisms can be transmitted through contact with contaminated blood and body fluids. Bloodborne pathogens include Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS. Exposure to these pathogens may be through needlesticks, sharps injuries, mucous membranes, and skin exposures. First aid team members, housekeeping personnel in some settings, and nurses are examples of workers who may be at risk of exposure. Workers and employers are urged to take advantage of available engineering controls and work practices to prevent exposure to blood and other body fluids. In 1991, OSHA issued the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard to protect workers from this risk of exposure; these standards were updated in 2001.

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P

Peak flow - A person with asthma determines their peak flow by using a peak flow meter (a hand-held plastic tool) to measure how fast they can blow out.

Peer to peer aggression includes a range of verbal, physical, and sexual behaviors used by one or more individuals to punish, harm or control another youth.

Pest problems may include cockroaches, mosquitoes, rats, mice, hornets, ants, spiders, and flies.

Physical activity is any bodily movement in a structured or unstructured environment such as walking or biking to school, recess, or intramurals.

Physical Education is structured classes taught by certified teachers that includes curriculum, instruction and assessment.

Positive behavioral support is a proactive, positive, skill-building approach for the teaching and learning of successful student behavior. Positive behavior support systems ensure effective strategies that promote pro-social behavior and respectful learning environments.

Positive reinforcement/praise means a systematic attitude and initiative that has its foundation in strength based, as opposed to deficit based education.

Positive social behaviors are social interactions and behaviors displayed by students in a healthy, positive, appropriate manner (i.e. taking turns, sharing, not interrupting)

Predominantly healthy foods/beverages means that more than half of all food offered (except for nuts, seeds and cheese) have no more than 6 grams of fat and meet two of the following three criteria:

• Contain 300 or fewer calories
• One or more grams of fiber or
• At least 10% of Calcium, Iron, Vitamin A or Vitamin C

Healthy beverages are:

• Water
• 100% Juice in 12 oz servings or less
• Fat free, low fat, plain and/or flavored milk in 16-ounce servings or less
• Fruit/fruit juice smoothies in 16-ounce servings or less

Professional development is an educational opportunity to increase knowledge in one's area of expertise. Professional development can occur on-site (for example via the school, district) and off-site, such as city, state, national training opportunities like conferences, workshops, in-services, college course etc.

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Q

Quality of leadership/Decision making means the role of the building principal is to focus the whole school on instruction and use this focus as a means of establishing and acting upon priorities in the school. The principal and all others in the school know the school is a place for learning.

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R

Refer students identified as having asthma means to:

• Contact parents of students with consistent asthma symptoms or numerous school absences due to asthma and recommend that the students be evaluated by their primary health care provider or specialist.
• Contact parents of students without a primary health care provider and give information about child health insurance programs (including MIChild and Michigan Medicaid) and primary care providers.
• Identify community-based services (Ex. Local Asthma Coalition, American Lung Association, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, www.GetAsthmaHelp.org, etc.) to share with parents.

Research-based curriculums include instructional strategies and learning events that build on theoretical approaches demonstrated to be effective in influencing health-related risk behaviors among youth. They go beyond the cognitive level and address the social influences, values, norms and skills that have been shown to influence health-related behaviors of school-aged youth.

Role model (modeling healthy behaviors) refers to a person who fills his or her role as a good example for others. School staff members are an important influence in children's lives and therefore, can be critical role models. Children watch and imitate adults, and look to them to learn proper behavior. Children can pick up positive attitudes about food and physical activity by watching school staff. Examples: Staff drinking water (not soda or coffee) in the classroom or cafeteria, walking during the lunch hour and bringing healthy snacks to school.

Routine use of an action planning tool or method means that the CSHT reviews and updates priorities and actions at least twice each year.

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S

Safe remote sites are locations near the school building (church, far end of school grounds) where the students are dropped off/picked up at on a regular basis to increase physical activity.

Safe Routes to School Program (SR2S) is a national program that provides guidelines for encouraging walking and biking to school.

Safe Routes to School Team is a group of school and community members committed to working together to create safe venues such as sidewalks, adequate lighting, and snow removal, using guidelines from the national Safe Routes to School program.

School based health centers are health centers located in a school or on school grounds that provide on-site comprehensive primary and preventative health services, including referrals, tracking and follow-up, throughout the year.   School based health centers can be located in elementary, middle, high, or alternative schools and must follow School Code Regulations.

School climate survey measures a positive learning environment, relationships among students, staff and faculty, relationships between the school and community, safety and structure, and a sense of belonging.

School linked health centers are health centers NOT LOCATED ON SCHOOL PROPERTY that provide on-site comprehensive primary and preventative health services, including referrals, tracking and follow-up, throughout the year to adolescents and young adults. A school-linked health center is located in the community at an accessible location and has strong ties to area schools.

School mental health refers to policies, strategies, supports, and services along a continuum of care that includes mental health promotion, prevention, and intervention offered to all students in a school setting.

Secluded areas are hallways, parking lots, or low use classrooms.

Seclusion and restraint refers to the practice of isolating and/or physically controlling a student, typically because of behavior and emotional outbursts. Seclusion and restraint should be used only in emergencies.

Sequential curriculum means curriculum builds on concepts taught in preceding grades.

Severe and pervasive mental health concerns are ongoing, intense disorders as evidenced by behavior and/or emotional states that severely disrupt a student’s ability to function in the home, school, or community setting on a daily basis.

Sexual exploitation can involve the following: possession, manufacture and distribution of child pornography; online enticement of children for sexual acts; child prostitution; child sex tourism and; child sexual molestation.

Shelter-in-place (also called lock down) is a procedure that keeps students/staff in the building with the facility secured so no one comes or goes until released by authorities, however business as usual inside.

Skill-based instruction teaches students how to put skills learned in the classroom into daily practice.

Skill-building refers to instruction that teaches students to master new skills. For health behavior change to occur one factor that must be included in a health education program is the student must understand, practice and be able to use skills that will promote health. (Other factors include: knowledge, self-efficacy, and environmental support)

Social and emotional health refers to a student’s ability to manage emotions, make responsible decisions, resolve conflict appropriately and therefore achieve academically.

Social and Emotional Learning-strategies are strategies that are utilized in school settings to promote students ability to manage their emotions, make responsible decisions, resolve conflict appropriately and therefore achieve academically. Such strategies have been proven to enhance student and staff mental health.

Students at risk of being victims or perpetrators of violence include:

• Victims of child abuse or neglect
• Victims of dating violence
• Victims of sexual assault
• Victims of bullying or harassment
• Survivors of serious intentional or unintentional injuries
• Poor academic achievers
• Weapon carriers
• Observers of violence at home, at school or in the community
• Violent offenders
• Suicide attempters
• Those with special health care needs or mobility impairments
• Those identified as chronic behavior problems
• Those with learning or emotional disabilities
• Users of alcohol or drugs (especially heavy users)

Students with poorly controlled asthma are those with frequent absences from school, frequent visits to the school health office for asthma symptoms, frequent asthma symptoms at school, and/or frequent non-participation in physical education class due to asthma symptoms.

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T

Tobacco use means: cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, smokeless or oral tobacco and snuff, bidis, clove cigarettes, etc.

Track students with asthma means to collect the information related to asthma described below and share it with the appropriate person(s), as needed.

• Absences from school due to asthma
• Early dismissal Sent home early from school due to asthma
• Visits to the school health office due to asthma
• Asthma symptoms at school
• Non participation in physical education class due to asthma
• Calls from school to 911 or other local emergency numbers due to asthma

Transformative conferencing is a facilitated process which brings together victims and offenders, and their supporters to repair harm caused by an offense or misbehavior, holds offenders accountable and builds competencies, increases school & community safety.

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U

Unintentional injuries may result from motor-vehicle crashes, drowning, poisonings, fires, falls, sports- and recreation-related events, and unintentional firearm-related events.

Unstructured physical activity opportunities are supervised and are offered in addition to PE class daily. In grades K-6 this time is commonly known as recess, and in grades 7-12 it is known as break time (and does not include class passing time).

USDA After School Snack Program After school care centers that meet certain criteria can be reimbursed for snacks served to at-risk children 18 years of age and younger. The regulations also establish the eligibility of at-risk after school care centers to serve free snacks to children who participate in after school programs. The intended effect of this rule is to support after school care programs through the provision of snacks that meet Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) meal pattern requirements.

USDA National School Lunch Program The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day.

USDA School Breakfast Program The School Breakfast Program (SBP) provides cash assistance to States to operate nonprofit breakfast programs in schools and residential childcare institutions. The program is administered at the Federal level by FNS. State education agencies administer the SBP at the State level, and local school food authorities operate it in schools.

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V

Validity means the extent to which a measurement instrument or test accurately measures what it is supposed to measure.

Variety of foods means at least: two entrees offered for lunch daily; two choices of fruit or 100% fruit juice offered for lunch daily; two choices of vegetables offered for lunch daily; five foods containing whole grain offered weekly.

Violence is the threatened or actual use of force against oneself, another person, or a group; it includes aggression, bullying, assault, homicide, child maltreatment, rape, and dating and intimate partner violence.

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W

Walking school bus is a group of children walking to school with one or more adults. It can be as informal as two families taking turns walking their children to school to. Or, it can be as structured as a route with meeting points, a timetable and a regularly rotated schedule of trained volunteers.

Withholding physical activity as punishment means not allowing students to attend all or part of physical education class or recess as a consequence of inappropriate behavior in other classes. This does not refer to physical education teachers disciplining students during PE class by having them sit out for a period of time.

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