It’s that time of year. Time to start planning how to spend your (likely tiny) health education budget. Read on to see the things I purchase for my skills-based health classroom and some tips for finding yourself more money. 
Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience*. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Large Post It Notes
Ok these post-its* are expensive but so convenient. I love to do “write around the room” activities with students. I do it to start my year to allow students to weigh in on classroom expectations. I use it to focus on National Health Education Standard 2 – allowing students to brainstorm how their school, family, community, peers and police department can help keep them safe from the dangers of drugs and alcohol. And I use it to guage students’ prior knowledge about mental health.
I post questions around the room and then pile enough large post-its underneath them for each of my classes. At the end of class, I simply peel off the top post-it and voila, I’m ready to go for the next period.
Mesh Zipper Bags
These bags* are a one-time purchase but come in handy for all of the card activities I do with my classes. I have a card activity for the dimensions of health, goal-setting, risk/protective factors, decision-making, communication skills and stress-management. I print all of the card sets on card stock and am so grateful that our library staff is able to laminate them. Each set gets sorted into its own zipper pouch and is ready for group use when I get to the lesson.
Colored Card Stock
Card stock* is the backbone of my card sets. I prefer to get this 5 color pack* and white*, so I can color code groups and give them the same color mesh bags and cards. During our discussions of mental health, students learn the ACT model to respond to a friend in need. I print resource cards on card stock. Students store the card in their phone cases so they always have the numbers they need. You can grab a free resource card template here. I also use card stock at the beginning of the year to create my name plates. The name plates are set up to assign each student to four random groups. They allow students to all answer questions at the same time, to play “red light, green light,” and to serve as a mood meter.
Flag Clips
In addition to their name plate, each student gets a flag clip*. Students use their clip as a check in. Red means “It’s a pretty awful day. I’m not feeling great.” Yellow means “It’s a day. Everything’s going ok.” And green means, “It’s a good day. I’m feeling great.” They’re also used for a series of “red light, green light” activities throughout the semester. I’m eyeing these magnetic page markers* to try next year.
Painters Tape
Painters Tape* is my go to adhesive. I use it to hang the prompts above the large post-its when I do “write-around-the-room” activities, to hang up destination cards for my scavenger hunts, and give every student a piece during my violence prevention lesson. The great thing about painters tape is that it sticks well but removes easily without leaving any residue.
Sorting Sticks
I learned about these Student Grouping Pencils* at a health education conference years ago. They’re an awesome way to quickly group students. Students can pick up a pencil on the way into class, then group up by color, number or symbol for a variety of options. You certainly can recreate them yourself with popsicle sticks, but the grouping pencils are definitely more durable. Just make sure you collect them ALL back each time you use them.
Clothes Pin Tacks
I just found these clothes pin tacks* this year. They are great for use with bulletin boards, providing an easy way to hang student work. I especially like posting my students social norms projects and mental health advertisements as decor in my classroom. Incoming students get a preview of what’s to come and are reminded that most kids make healthy choices and that help is always available. They can also be used to pin up local resources, brochures or flyers you may want to share with students.
Magnetic Frames
I’m hoping to be able to purchase these magnetic frames* this year. In addition to posting student projects in my classroom, I love to post them inside the stall doors of student restrooms. This captive audience can benefit from the health advocacy messages created by my students. The magnetic frames protect the work and can be used over and over again.
Canva for Educators
I can’t say enough about how much I love Canva. It has so many options for fonts, graphics, and photos and is a simple way to design slideshows, infographics, student handouts, posters and more. Educators can get a free account which has more functionality than the traditional free version. It also has an option to create a Canva classroom, much like Google Classroom. Students can also use Canva for free as it meets COPPA regulations.
Show Me the Money
Here are a few tips for getting more funding if you have a tiny budget like most health educators.
Request the Use of ESSA Funds
My budget was a whopping $100. In 2019, I learned all about ESSA by participating in SHAPE America’s SPEAK Out Day. That same spring, I requested the use of ESSA Title IV funds, and successfully secured an additional $1000 for my program. That’s 10 TIMES more than my annual budget. Here’s how you can do the same:
Step One: Don’t let your eyes glaze over and fall asleep when you educate yourself about the Federal Funds your program is eligible for. It might be dry, but it’s worth it.
Title IV, Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) authorizes the use of federal funds for:
- Ensuring students receive a well-rounded education (Unlike it’s predecessor, No Child Left Behind), health education is included in a well-rounded education (what’s been so obvious to us, just became law in 2015)
- Supporting the safety and health of our students (This includes programs to prevent bullying, violence, suicide, alcohol & drug use, and training specifically on trauma-informed practices and health education)
- Supporting the use of effective technology (Funds can be used for professional development, purchase of equipment and devices)
Step Two: Now that you’re knowledgeable, brainstorm what materials and professional development opportunities you want that relate to the three areas listed above and seek out pricing.
When I did this, I thought of purchasing food for tastings during nutrition lessons, funds to print and frame student projects in color, purchasing furnishings to allow for non-traditional seating such as stability balls and standing height tables/desks, as well as purchasing a subscription to Choices magazine.
Step Three: Request the funds. Write to your administrators about requesting ESSA funds for the upcoming school year. Be sure to relate your requests directly to students’ well-rounded education, health & safety, and/or effective technology.
Boost your chances for success
Including the student input and data in your request.
- Student input: Wherever possible include connections to actual student requests (Poll your students about the ideas you brainstormed. What percentage of them support your ideas? Better yet, what ideas do they have. Securing additional funds for your program could be this spring’s advocacy project in your health classes).
- Data, Data, Data: Wherever possible, use local data to support your requests. Asking for something related to bullying? Use YRBS data to support the need. Want to boost your mental health lessons? Use results from Module 2 & Module 7 of the School Health Index to support the need.
For excellent information about how to request the use of ESSA funds for your health education program, visit https://www.shapeamerica.org/advocacy/ESSA_Funding.aspx
Seek out additional grants.
Does your state organization offer any grants? What about local organizations? Action For Healthy Kids has a series of grants available that are relatively easy to apply for.
The year before I learned about ESSA, I applied for a Game On Grant from Action for Healthy Kids and got $1,000. I was able to use the funds to purchase food for a nutrition lesson, host a week long wellness week for the Jr/Sr High School, and professionally print the fitness and mindfulness trail posters my students created during their advocacy project and purchase frames so I could hang them throughout the school. You can grab a free guide for school wellness ideas here.
Ask for more.
While it’s unlikely that your district has any more money to give you, it can’t hurt to ask. Figure out your wish list (curriculum materials, professional development, supplies) and ask your administration what they can do to help you.
After inquiring at my school, I found out they could use text book funds to purchase a magazine subscription for my students and my librarian was able to add a health database to our library resources page.
Partner with local businesses.
If your child has ever played softball or baseball, you know local businesses are willing to sponsor youth activities. Why not ask them if they’re willing to sponsor some of your health education programming.
In my work as an elementary school wellness committee chair, I asked a local grocery store for some donations. They gave me several gift cards and reusable bags, and a huge box of water bottles I was able to give away as prizes. A local restaurant gave us a discount on food when I hosted the School Health Index and over 25 businesses donated time and materials for our Taste n’ Try Wellness Fair and Mindful Maze.
I hope these suggestions and funding tips help you during this year’s budget season.
