Congratulations to Sehr Hamid from Chartiers Vallet MS and Sophia Pallo from Hampton MS for receiving Honorable Mention Awards in the AMLE Student Sound Off contest. Contestants could consider a variety of different prompts for inspiration but were encouraged to tap into their creativity and respond in the format that most appealed to them. You can see all the finalists here on the AMLE website.

Calling all student-athletes, coaches, and baseball fans! Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to meet five-time MLB All-Star Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees! Take a group photo with Aaron and hear from him firsthand how you can become a change-maker who uses Digital4Good. Then watch him in action at the game! Get tickets and enter to win autographed memorabilia HERE.

Bentworth Middle School is preparing to launch an aviation STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) program to inspire the next generation of aviation professionals and to provide exposure to industry career opportunities. Read more in this article from the Observer Reporter.

The American School Health Association invites you to its 98th Annual School Health Conference, uplifting youth voices and empowering healthy school communities. This year's events offer two distinct experiences:

In-person Conference (Oct. 16-18, Pittsburgh, PA): Immerse yourself in a vibrant atmosphere where professionals collaborate, share innovative approaches, and tackle pressing school health challenges.

Virtual Conference (Nov. 11, Veteran's Day): Honor the unique needs of military-involved families. Present sessions focused on their health and well-being, fostering supportive systems and promoting holistic well-being.

No matter your chosen format, you'll be part of a dynamic learning environment focused on critical thinking, inclusive dialogue, and evidence-based practices. Share your expertise, learn from diverse perspectives, and contribute to shaping a healthier future for all students and communities.

Don't miss out! Secure your spot and raise your voice at the 2024 School Health Conference. Visit our website for more details on the call for abstracts, sponsorship and registration.

CALL FOR PAPERS ENDS APRIL 12th

Join us for the 2024 Annual School Health Conference, where we're excited to bring together a diverse community of educators, principals, school board members, school nurses, social workers, counselors, government program associates, school-based health center leadership, and school health experts. From elementary to post-secondary education, our conference aims to create a collaborative space for professionals from across the nation.

This year, we are thrilled to announce our in-person conference in the vibrant city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, taking place from October 16th to 18th. Immerse yourself in the latest discussions, insights, and strategies related to early childhood and child health, obesity prevention, immunizations, coordinated school health, and public health.

For those unable to join us in person, don't worry! We will also be hosting a virtual conference on November 11th, coinciding with Veteran's Day. On this special day, we aim to honor the unique perspectives of military-involved families by showcasing presentations that pertain to their health and well-being. It's our way of recognizing the sacrifices made by our military families and addressing their specific needs.

Michael T. Callaghan | Highmark, Inc. | Supervisor | Title I Schools | Mobile Connection Center

412-694-6177 (mobile)| Michael.Callaghan@highmark.com |

Hey Digital Change Makers,

With so many new trends and challenges popping up on social media, it can be overwhelming to keep up with everything your students are engaging with online. This month’s email update has all you need to keep up-to-date on top social media crazes and what to keep your eye out for online.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Calling all principals, vice principals, and superintendents! On Tuesday, May 7th, Digital4Good will be hosting our final Admin TechTalk of the academic year to reflect on the challenges (and successes) we’ve faced surrounding devices and technology in education. We would love for you to lead this important conversation as either a moderator or a panelist. Please contact admin@icanhelp.net if interested.

Feel free to copy and paste the above paragraph into your newsletter to spread the word! Now, let’s dive into some of the top trends your students are talking about today.

Social Media and Health 

Taking charge of screen time

The growing need for healthy screen time management has resulted in the development of numerous applications aimed at helping tweens and teens balance their screen time better. Check out the list of apps here.

Impact of shooter games on teen mental health

Video games, especially those with violent or mature content, have a huge impact on how students see the world. Here are some tips from Digital4Good on how to help teens set healthy boundaries.

Education Tech Insights 

 Admin TechTalk: Reflecting on Tech Issues over the Last Year

Mark your calendars for our upcoming TechTalk, where expert educators and administrators will come together to discuss the biggest tech issues in education over the past year. Register for free HERE!

Thanks for being a part of the Digital4Good family!

#YouRock,

Kim Karr Executive Director | Digital4Good e: kim@icanhelp.net p: (925)-237-1056 w: www.icanhelp.net

New insights from Pew Research Center shed light on students' online experiences, with 7-in-10 teens sharing that smartphones provide more benefits than harm. 

Here at The Social Institute, we're all about equipping students with awareness and skills rather than scaring them. Let's help students build modern life skills.

Read more to learn how teachers can address important topics with students at your school. 

Let's dive in:

• Using Tech For Good: Positive ways students are navigating social media
• What educators need to know about AI-generated YouTube content that is targeting younger students
• Navigating and addressing the rise of Delta-8 use among students

p.s. Do you love The Huddle and want more ways to help students navigate current events, well-being, and social media in high-character ways? Request information about #WinAtSocial!

Long-time corporate supporter Horace Mann recently collaborated with My Education Discount – a comprehensive directory of discounts for educators and school support staff.  

Horace Mann also offers special rates for educators and staff on auto, home and life insurance. With Horace Mann, educators get unique features and benefits at no extra cost, such as:

• waived deductibles on certain claims that happen at or near school,

• coverage if personal items used for work are damaged or stolen while in your car,

• and much more!

When you check out Horace Mann’s page on My Education Discount, don’t forget to contact your local Horace Mann representative or visit horacemann.com for a no-obligation quote! 

Horace Mann Insurance Company and its affiliates underwrite Horace Mann auto and home insurance. Horace Mann Life Insurance Company underwrites Horace Mann life insurance products. The benefits and discounts listed are only general descriptions of coverage and do not constitute a statement of contract. Additional terms and conditions, as described in the policy, must be met for the coverage to be provided. Not all discounts and benefits available in all states.

EMM-00547 (Jan. 24)

Highmark Foundation now accepting applications for 2024-2025 school grants program

Jan. 29, 2024 | PITTSBURGH

PITTSBURGH (Jan. 29, 2024) — The Highmark Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2024-2025 School Grants Program, which will make available up to $500,000 for school grades K-12 in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The goal of this ongoing program is to create healthier school environments that result in positive, sustainable, and lasting change through comprehensive strategies.

"This multifaceted program equips schools with resources that develop healthier and safer school environments," said Highmark Foundation President Yvonne Cook. "The Highmark Foundation recognizes the value of early intervention and preventive health programs and appreciates the vital role schools play to promote students' health, safety, education, and well-being."

Public, private, parochial, charter schools, and vocational high schools throughout West Virginia and Pennsylvania are invited to apply for the following offerings of the Highmark Foundation's School Grants Program:

Physical Health

Schools are an important contributor to physical health, not only because they are where students spend majority of their days, but they are also the setting for health education, physical education, and breakfast and lunch meals. All of these contribute to strong physical health and help individuals develop lifelong healthy habits.

Highmark Foundation will provide grants up to $7,500 for programmatic activities including (but not limited to):

• Increasing physical activity
• Healthy eating and nutrition education
• Improving personal hygiene habits
• Health promotion and disease prevention education

School-Based Health

Numerous studies have linked school-based health care to educational and health-related outcomes. Schools can contribute to increased use of vaccination and preventive services, reduced asthma morbidity, fewer emergency department visits and hospital admissions, and lower illegal substance use and alcohol consumption.

Social Health

Recognizing that social health factors are an important part of a person's overall health, programs under this category seek to connect students and families to the services and supports they need outside of the school community to be healthy. Highmark Foundation will provide grants up to $7,500 for programmatic activities including (but not limited to):

• Food security initiatives
• Social-emotional learning and school connectedness programs
• Housing and homelessness interventions

Entering its twelfth year, the Highmark Foundation's School Grants Program has provided more than $4.2 million to help bring about healthy changes in schools in Highmark Foundation's service region.

The link to the online application can be found at https://highmarkfoundationrfp.versaic.com.

About About Highmark Foundation

The Highmark Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) private, charitable organization dedicated to improving the health, wellbeing, and quality of life for individuals who reside in the communities served by Highmark, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates. We fulfill our missing by awarding high-impact grants to charitable organizations that implement evidence-based programs aimed at improving community health. Central to the Foundation's mission is identifying and continuously reevaluating our region's prevailing health care needs. By doing so, the Foundation remains at the forefront of those needs, well-equipped to pinpoint the issues that more urgently need support.

In 2021, two new restricted funds were established at the Highmark Foundation — the Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health and the United Concordia Dental Charitable Fund. These funds support the ongoing work of the Highmark Foundation across its footprint and beyond.

For more information, visit www.highmarkfoundation.org and follow the Highmark Foundation on LinkedIn.

Contact:

Bethany Ross
Highmark Health
304-347-7698
Bethany.ross@highmarkhealth.org

We’re starting our countdown to the Highmark Bright Blue Futures Community Day at the Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Hunt Armory. Through our partnership with the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation, we are thrilled to bring this free event to the community. Join us for a fun morning of skating, games, music, and more as we celebrate the third year of the Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Hunt Armory on Saturday, March 2^nd.

The event is free, but registration is required:  Click here to register today

With more women than ever responsible for their financial well-being – and the financial well-being of their families – it’s critical that women know how to save and plan for their future.

• Women control one-third of total U.S. household financial assets–more than $10 trillion.
• By 2022, women will control more than 60% of the wealth in the U.S. 
• According to Forbes Community Voice, 95% of U.S. women are either solely or jointly responsible for household decisions.

Horace Mann is a long-time corporate supporter. Join one of their Women and Retirement workshops, designed to empower your future through financial education.

Register today!

Hope to see you there!

The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered a recommendation, investment, tax or legal advice.