The School District of Palm Beach County, Florida - Other School Department Based Activities
Celebrating 10 Years Of Wellness
Curriculums
Choice & Career Options – Curriculums
Utilizing a planned program of learning experiences in education and real world training settings, Career Education assists students to make informed decisions about their study and/or work options and enables them to participate effectively in working life.
Within the Career Education curriculums there is a strong commitment to nutrition, wellness, healthy lifestyles and well-being.
Presented at the middle school level, concepts studied include:
- CPR and First Aid for children and infants
- Childhood obesity (short and long term effects)
- The Great Plate/Food Pyramid for formation of healthy diets
- Eating disorders
- Safety and sanitation (prevention of food borne illnesses)
- Nutrition, dieting and weight control (development of a life-long health plan as well as long term effects of a poor diet)
- The nutritional needs of young children as well as learning indicators of a healthy child
- Foods that may be harmful to children (food allergies)
- Childhood illnesses, causes and preventive measures (special focus on childhood obesity, diabetes, hypertension, anemia and asthma)
- Exercise (benefits and incorporation of exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle)
- Substance abuse and its effect on the body
- Careers in medical and biomedical sciences, health, nutrition, wellness, dietary sciences, culinary, and education
American Red Cross - Hands Only CPR
Teaching “Hands Only CPR” can save many lives by filling our community with people who are trained to give sudden cardiac arrest victims the immediate help they need to survive until professional medical help arrives.
On February 13, 2015, the Countywide CPR Day took place in 20 designated Fire Stations throughout Palm Beach County. Biomedical and Medical Sciences Academy students were trained and certified by Palm Beach State College Paramedic students as “Hands Only CPR” instructors. The academy students trained the rest of the students and staff at several high schools throughout the year. The goal is to have every student in high school trained in Hands Only CPR to save lives and to make a difference in our community.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Training
Students in the Biomedical and Medical Sciences Academies are required to complete the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) training prior to starting the clinical rotations. Students must follow confidentiality laws to protect all patients.
Bloodborne Pathogens and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Training
After completing this training, all students in the Biomedical and Medical Sciences Academies receive a State of Florida Certification. The purpose is to provide students with an understanding of the intent of the blood borne pathogens regulation issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA); how disease transmissions occur; serious communicable diseases; precautions to prevent disease transmission; and what to do if an exposure occurs. In addition, specific information regarding HIV and AIDS is covered including transmission, prevention, health care, social and legal issues.
American Heart Association - Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification
As part of the curriculum requirements for several career academies (Biomedical and Medical Sciences, Early Childhood Teacher Education, JROTC and Criminal Justice), students are eligible to be certified in CPR and First Aid – preparing students to prevent and respond to life-threatening emergencies.
A Day in the Life of a Nurse (DITLOAN)
Yearly in November, students in the Medical Sciences Career Academies participate in the Day in the Life of a Nurse, collaborating with the Nursing Consortium of South Florida, along with local hospitals, nursing schools, colleges and universities in Palm Beach County. Students are introduced to nursing careers and the advancements within the profession including biomedical research. Activities include skills labs, simulations, presentations, and shadowing experiences.
Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine - Healthcare Careers Outreach Program
In collaboration with the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University, Biomedical Academy students are able to participate in the Healthcare Careers Outreach Program designed to increase interest in the health sciences for young people interested in careers in medicine and to mentor and prepare them to successfully compete at the highest levels of college and post-graduate studies. Participating schools include Lake Worth Community High, Palm Beach Gardens Community High, Roosevelt Community Middle and Lake Worth Middle. The mission of this program is to increase opportunities in Medicine and Biomedical Sciences for students, especially under-represented and under-served minorities in South Florida. Advanced simulations and practical applications are required components of the curriculum in addition to field trips to FAU College of Medicine and FAU Simulation Center.
Keiser University School of Nursing Partnership
Keiser University nursing students participated in the Pediatric Nursing Rotation at Lake Worth Middle School Biomedical Sciences Academy for the past seven years since the inception of the academy. Both institutions work hand in hand to promote careers in health sciences while addressing the national nursing shortage, especially in South Florida.
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Partnership
University of Miami School of Medicine entered into an agreement with the School District’s Department of Choice and Career Options for the Biomedical and Medical Sciences Academies. Miguel L. Benavente, M.D., the Medical Administrator for Palm Beach County Schools and Julia Belkowitz Lichtenstein, M.D., Assistant Regional Dean for Student Affairs and Professor of Pediatrics for Miller School of Medicine Regional Campus in West Palm Beach, started this partnership agreement to prepare medical academy students to the rigorous curriculum of medical school and a career in medicine.
From Garden to Table
Emphasizing cooperation with other disciplines (i.e. Biomedical and Medical, Agricultural and Environmental Research and Field Studies Academies), several high school culinary arts career academies have planned, planted, and utilized the benefits of growing a garden on campus. Accentuating the “freshness and taste factor,” nutritional content, and chemical free gardening, vegetables and greens have found their way into the menu planning and food preparation within the career academy restaurant concept. Field trips to sites such as the Squire’s Urban Herb Farm underscore the utilization of using fresh products in preparing foods.
Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) is the medical student organization whose mission is to promote career opportunities in health care and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people. HOSA provides opportunities for active student participation at the local, state, and national levels. Several Medical Academy students competed at the Florida State HOSA Student Leadership Conference and HOSA Nationals and brought home many awards.