Oliver Foundation Newsletter May 2023

May 2023 Volume 19 Issue 5

Summer Precautions for

Parents and Kids

When summer approaches we as parents always worry about these three-summertime health and safety issues for our kids and teens.

1. Over exposure to the sun leading to severe sunburns and potential skin cancer.

2. Swimming and other water related accidents, including dehydration.

3. Safety, in our neighborhoods and other areas.

At the Oliver Foundation, we have documented that summertime inactivity, unstructured days, and increased unhealthy snacking can lead to excessive summer weight gain. We know this from our work with Baylor College of Medicine in Houston area elementary and middle schools.

Parents, this summer, also consider health issues and make sure your kids and teens follow these three pointers.

1.Less screen time which means getting lots of physical activity - for many, this needs preplanning. Get out and move!

2.Regular mealtimes. Avoid snacks between meals unless it’s low fat options and includes fruits / vegetables. Water of course and skim milk/ low-fat milk for the kids and teens

3.More fruits and vegetables at meals and snacks. Have healthy snack options at home. Make snacks the rainbow of fruits and veggies: red, yellow, green, orange, and purple.

Have a safe and healthy summer!

Our Next Newsletter will go out September 2023.

Oliver Foundation Healthy Choices Grant

Next Deadline JULY 15, 2023

Apply Now

Congratulations to our April 15, 2023 Grant Awardees

Fort Bend County Kids & Cops Inc, Summer Camp

Tyler Parks and Recreation Center, Summer Camp

North Zulch, ISD

Turner Elementary, Pasadena ISD

Kimball Elementary, Mesquite ISD

The Oliver Foundation held it's

Teen Advisory Board Senior Awards Luncheon at Lakeside Country Club, May 7, 2023.

Congratulations to our 2022-2023

Teen Advisory Board Graduating Seniors. We wish them the best as they begin a new adventure.

Mia Price

Georgetown University, School of Health

Katherine Zhang

Duke University, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences

Lauryn Tu

Northwestern University, Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences

Nick Bhasin

Yale University

Alexander Farahbod

Undecided

Kayla Kitana

Howard University, School of Psychology

Upcoming Webinars and Opportunities

FUEL UP TO PLAY 60

Apply now for a free NFL FLAG-In-School football kit! Valued at $410, the kit arrives packed with resources including curricula and equipment to introduce or expand flag football in your school.

The last day to apply is May 16, 2023

Advocating for School Health Policy Through Your SHAC

May 17 at 11:30am

Join It’s Time Texas as they partner with the Collective Action Board (CAB) to discuss advocating for school health policy through your SHAC. Register Here

Grants Available for Healthy School Meals

APPLY NOW! Small and/or rural school food authorities (SFA) are eligible to apply for competitive grants, up to $150,000 per SFA, as part of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service’s Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative.

Application closes on May 26, 2023. Learn more and apply today

Save the Date: TX AFHK Fall Summit

We have starting planning for our annual fall Summit. We will be hosting via Zoom to allow more people to attend. Watch for agenda updates in future newsletters!

Mark your calendars:

Tuesday, October 24 - 11:30am - 4:30pm

Wednesday, October 25 - 8:30am - 12:00pm Noon

Meet the Oliver Teen Advisory Board

The Oliver Foundation Teen Advisory Board is a 12-20 member organization represented by students across the Houston area. Each month you'll meet a different member who will share their perspective on living a healthy life.

Rebecca Somavarapu, Teen Board Member

Langham Creek High School - Houston, Texas

Teen Board Member 2022 - Present

Rebecca is a junior at Langham Creek High School. She is a member of the Technology Student Association and volunteers regularly through the Key Club at her school. She received Honor Roll and a French award based on her academic performance. She enjoys art and spending time with her friends and family.

The Importance of Relaxation

With final exams nearing and the school year ending, it is necessary that we set time aside to unwind so that our heads are in the right space. Finding ways to relax is crucial when it comes to being productive and dealing with stress. It is important to make sure that you do not get overwhelmed when dealing with the stress of school, extracurriculars, college applications, or other aspects of life. Being overwhelmed can take a heavy toll on your body and make it harder for you to focus. Constantly dealing with stress can even affect your health by making you very tired, increasing your blood pressure, or weakening your immune system. Finding ways to relax can help combat those feelings.

Taking breaks to do something fun when you are busy can be a great way to let your mind and body rest. Additionally, making sure to take the time to eat and sleep enough can help keep your body energized. Speaking to a loved one or doing breathing exercises are also great ways to deal with the feeling of being overwhelmed. Similarly, practicing gratitude is another way to prevent stress. Gratitude involves identifying things in your life that make you happy or that you are thankful for. For example, these could be your pet, friends, or even a favorite book. Taking the time to think about a few things that bring you joy everyday can put you in a positive mood and help you stay optimistic. Furthermore, setting time aside for your hobbies will help your day look brighter and your load seem smaller. Additionally, it is essential that one makes sure they are getting the proper amount of sleep. Without the proper amount of sleep, your ability to focus, improve your mood, and help your brain be ready for the next day will be inhibited. It is especially important to reach the CDC’s recommended sleep time of 7-9 hours so that we will be better prepared to take on the challenges of a new day. Sleep is an excellent way to calm your mind.

Relaxation will benefit your mood, and the relaxation methods mentioned in this article will help give your brain enough energy to properly get through the day. Finding time to unwind will assist you more than cramming all your tasks back-to-back. Overall, it is important to try to find ways to prioritize your mental health and function, especially when you have a busy schedule.