FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
     
    John L. Winn
    Commissioner of Education
     
     
      
     
     
    STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
      
     
    F. PHILIP HANDY,
    Chairman
     
    T. WILLARD FAIR,
    Vice Chairman
     
     
    Members
     
    DONNA G. CALLAWAY
     
    R
    OBERTO MARTÍNEZ
     
    P
    HOEBE RAULERSON
     
    KATHLEEN SHANAHAN
    LINDA K. TAYLOR
     
      
    CONTACT PERSON
     
    NAME:
    Penny Detscher
    Lillian Finn
    PHONE:
    850-245-0480
     
    SUNCOM:
    205-0480
     
    E-MAIL:
    Penny.Detscher@fldoe.org
    Lillian.Finn@fldoe.org
    K12: 2006-137
     
    MEMORANDUM
     
    TO:
    District Superintendents
     
    FROM:
    Cheri Pierson Yecke, Ph.D.
     
     
    DATE:
    September 8, 2006
     
    SUBJECT: 2006 LEGISLATIVE CHANGES REGARDING AUTOMATED
    EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS (AEDs), SUN-PROTECTIVE WEAR,
    PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND THE COORDINATED SCHOOL
    HEALTH PROGRAM
     
    The 2006 Legislature passed Senate Bill 772, maki
    external defibrillators (AEDs), sun-protective wear, physical education and the Coordinated
    School Health Program.
     
    Section 1006.165, Florida Statutes, was created to state that each public school that is a member
    of the Florida High School Athletic Association must have an operational automated external
    defibrillator on the school grounds. It also requires that each school must ensure that all
    employees or volunteers who are reasonably expected to use the device obtain appropriate
    training, including completion of a course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation or a basic first aid
    course that includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation training, and demonstrated proficiency in the
    use of an automated external defibrillator. It further requires that the location of each automated
    external defibrillator must be registered with a local emergency medical services medical
     
    CHERI PIERSON YECKE, PH.D.
    CHANCELLOR, K-12 PUBLIC SCHOOLS
     
    325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509 • www.fldoe.org
     

    District Superintendents
    September 8, 2006
    Page Two
     
    director. The use of automated external defibrillators by employees and volunteers is covered
    under sections 768.13 and 768.1325, Florida Statutes.
     
    Section 1001.43, Florida Statutes, amended the Student Management section to allow students to
    wear sunglasses, hats, or other sun-protective wear while outdoors during school hours, such as
    when students are at recess.
     
    Section 1003.453, Florida Statutes, was created to require each school district, by September 1,
    2006, if they have not already done so, to submit a copy of its physical education policy to the
    Department of Education. Additionally, each district is required to post its physical education
    policy on its own district Web site and provide an online link to the Department of Education.
    Each school district shall annually review its physical education policy and provide a procedure
    for public input and revisions. All revised and updated copies of the policy must be sent to the
    Department of Education. By December 1, 2006, the Department of Education (DOE) shall post
    online links to each district’s policy on the DOE Web site. DOE will post health and nutrition
    resources on the Web site. These resources will include:
     
    y
      
    Classroom instruction on the benefits of exercise and healthful eating
     
    Classroom instruction on the health hazards of using tobacco and being exposed
    to tobacco smoke
     
    The eight components of a coordinated school health program, including health
    education, physical education, health services, and nutrition services
     
    The core measures for school health and wellness, such as the School Health
    Index
     
    Access for each student to the nutritional content of foods and beverages and to
    healthful food choices in accordance with the dietary guidelines of the United
    States Department of Agriculture
     
    Multiple examples of school wellness policies for school districts
    y
      
    Examples of wellness classes that provide nutrition education for teachers and
    school support staff, including encouragement to provide classes that are taught
    by a licensed nutrition professional from the school nutrition department.
     
    Section 1003.453, Florida Statutes, also encourages school districts to provide training in first
    aid, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation, for all students, beginning in grade 6 and every 2
    years thereafter. Private and public partnerships for providing training or necessary funding are
    encouraged.
     
    Section 1003.455, Florida Statutes, is amended to encourage school districts to provide 150
    minutes of physical education a week for students in grades K-5 and 225 minutes each week for
    students in grades 6- 8. A certified physical education instructor is required to review all physical
    education programs and curricula.
     
    Section 381.0056, Florida Statutes, is amended to require that districts, at the beginning of each
    school year, provide parents and guardians with information on ways to help their children be
    physically active and eat healthy foods.
     
    Section 381.0056, Florida Statutes, is amended to revise the membership of the school health
    advisory committee so that members represent the eight component areas of the coordinated
    school health model as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
    School health advisory committees are encouraged to address the eight components of the
     

    District Superintendents
    September 8, 2006
    Page Three
     
    Coordinated School Health model in the school district’s school wellness policy pursuant to
    Section 1003.453, Florida Statutes. The Coordinated School Health model’s eight component
    areas, as identified by the CDC, are Health Education, Physical Education, Health Services,
    Family/Community Involvement, Health Promotion for Staff, Healthy School Environment,
    Nutrition Services and Counseling, and Psychological and Social Services.
     
    Department staff are developing technical assistance materials and training workshops to provide
    additional guidance for implementing this legislation. If you have questions or need additional
    information, please contact the Coordinated School Health Program at 850-245-0480.
     
    CPY:pd
     
    cc: District Health Education Coordinators
    District Physical Education Coordinators
    District Health Services Directors
    District Safe Schools Coordinators
    District Guidance Coordinators
    District Staff Development Coordinators
    District Student Services Directors
     
     
      

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