The national PTA president discusses the importance of keeping children healthy. She describes the school's role in children's well-being, noting that PTA has advocated legislative protection for children's health for years. (SM)

Research consistently shows links between eating breakfast and learning. Many resources, including the National School Breakfast Program, are available to help parents who cannot provide breakfast at home. The article offers suggestions to help parents make creative, child-pleasing breakfasts and become active in planning school breakfasts. (SM)

Discusses hearing loss resulting from everyday noise. Recent research suggests that noise-induced hearing loss among school-aged children and teens is more severe than parents and teachers realize. Suggestions about what parents and teachers can do about excessive noise are presented. (SM)

Three-fourths of American schools are in substandard condition. Health effects associated with indoor air/environmental quality are a major concern. Sick building syndrome, which causes illness in occupants, generally results from particulates, volatile organic compounds, biologicals, or radio-nucleotides. The article recommends how to deal with…

Reports on a national survey that measured elementary school teachers' attitudes on child health and its impact on school readiness and that asked for solutions. One conclusion is that health-care professionals, schools, and parents must work together to solve the child-health crisis. (SM)

Childrens' psychological well-being is threatened by many of today's social ills. It is important to protect childrens' minds and let them consider schools a safe haven where they are supported, nurtured, and welcomed. Because many parents cannot foster self-esteem, teachers and schools must help students feel important. (SM)

The article describes children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), noting it can contribute to school underachievement, learning disabilities, difficulties in social adjustment, and emotional disorders. It examines diagnosis, neurobehavioral factors, and outcome and discusses coping via behavior modification at home, classroom…