Health Department Philosophy & Standards

The World Health Organization defines health as

"A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity".

Drawing on this statement with emphasis on health promotion and illness prevention, the Colegio Maya Health Education Program provides students with knowledge and life skills they need in order to develop, maintain and enjoy healthy lifestyles. The expectation is that students will make healthy choices that can influence others in the community in which they live. Also, students will become aware of how lifestyle factors and the environment affect their health, and how their behavior now will affect their health in the future.

Students will learn about all aspects of health: physical, mental-emotional, and social. Emphasis is placed on reinforcing students' self-esteem to enable and empower them to make wise and responsible decisions regarding the many issues they face at different developmental stages. Furthermore, students will be able to practice and learn six major life skills: interpersonal communication, goal-setting, decision-making, stress management, conflict resolution, and refusal skills. The information provided is age appropriate and stresses the importance of lifestyle factors and prevention of illness as the cornerstones of achieving active, successful lives.

A health-educated student will demonstrate competency in the following ten US National Health Education Standards:

  1. Knows the availability and effective use of health services, products and information.
  2. Knows environmental and external factors that affect individual and community health.
  3. Understands the relationship of family health to individual health.
  4. Knows how to maintain mental and emotional health.
  5. Knows essential concepts and practices concerning injury prevention and safety.
  6. Understands essential concepts about nutrition and diet.
  7. Knows how to maintain and promote personal health.
  8. Knows essential concepts about the prevention and control of disease.
  9. Understands aspects of substance use and abuse.
  10. Understands the fundamental concepts of growth and development.

 

These standards are covered through the following content areas:

  1. Personal Health
  2. Nutrition
  3. Growth and Development
  4. Mental and Emotional Health
  5. Family and Social Health
  6. Disease Prevention and Control
  7. Substance Use and Abuse
  8. Safety, Injury and Violence Prevention
  9. Community and Environmental Health
  10. Consumer Health

 

Program Delivery
The content will be covered in several different forms. At the Elementary level, health topics will be taught through a combination of lessons by the classroom teacher, physical education specialist and other school specialists as deemed necessary (counselor, nurse, etc.). At the Secondary level, health lessons will be an identified part of the physical education classes for grades six through nine. All students are required to pass the High School Health Elective class at some point during their studies in grades ten through twelve. In addition, the whole school will participate in wellness activities.

 

6th   

7th

8th

9th

Elective – H.S.

1st Semester

 Total Health:

  • Physical, mental and social
  • Wellness
  • Knowing your values
  • Making decisions

Nutrition:

  • Nutrients for your body
  • Food pyramid
  • Factors that influence your diet
  • Eating habits
  • Consequences of not eating properly

Sexuality.:

  • Growth, human sexuality and decision making

(Review reproductive system;  Menstrual Cycle; Conception control or contraceptives; Responsible sexual behavior and STD’s)

Substance Use and Abuse:

  • Differences of use and abuse of drugs
  • Different types
  • Short and long terms effects
  • Influence of media, peer pressure and cultural background
  • Drug abuse and the effects on driving, pregnancy and sexual responsibility
  • Making changes and choices

 

Unit:

  • Total Health
  • Mental & Emotional Health
  • Physical Health
  • Nutrition
  • Tobacco
  • Alcohol
  • Other drugs
  • The Reproductive System
  • Contraception
  • STD’s
  • * Health Promotion & disease prevention

2nd Semester

Puberty:

  • Review Reproductive system
  • Hygiene
  • Physical, Social, Emotional and Mental changes

Social and Emotional  Health:

  •  Living skills to achieve total health
  • Self-concept
  • Attitude
  • Communication
  • You and other people

Social Health:

  • Healthy relationships
  • Communication Skills
  • Family/friends
  • Dating
  • Conflict resolution

Basic First Aid:

  • The ABC’s of first aid
  • Control bleeding
  • Shocks
  • Poisoning
  • Choking
  • CPR
  • Fractures/sprains and bruises
  • Insect bites and stings
  • Burns