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LIVESTRONG At School

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8 Comments

One in three people in the US will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. As a result, children in your school are likely dealing with a diagnosis of a grandparent, parent, family member, friend or teacher. LIVESTRONG created special lessons for the classroom to address the questions your students have about cancer called LIVESTRONG at School. The lessons form a curriculum that allows students to discuss cancer in a way that is age-appropriate, hopeful, inspiring and empowering. They also provide suggestions for ways students can get involved in their own community.

Each lesson in LIVESTRONG at School features quick and easy links to teacher sheets, worksheets and videos, extension activities that allow additional learning on each topic, facts about incidence, prevention and treatment of cancer and ideas for how to support people with cancer. Studies are broken down into age groups from K-12.

If you are a parent, talk to your kid’s school about the lessons. If you are a teacher, consider adding it into your lesson plans. If you are a student, talk to your teacher or principal. Knowledge is Power!

Go to www.livestrong.org/school for more information and to download the lessons.

  • http://teamdownone.com Brian Dowd

    I got this out to Dr. Trian Parlapanides (Superintendent of Schools at Central Regional) here in Bayville, NJ. I will be calling him later this week to see what we can do. I also sent to a friend who is an employee at Central to help champion this effort. I’ll keep you posted on progress.

    LIVESTRONG!

    Brian Dowd

  • http://teachermum.wordpress.com/ Maree

    Speaking of which I am going to approach the headmaster today with it, although, it is a very confronting topic and senior staff and parents have reservations.

    Being a teacher and a cancer survivor, i’ll be fighting for it. But its not as easy as it sounds. I am a teacher in Australia and the initial reservations when approaching senior staff with the idea included what sort of response it would raise with regards to student pathology that is, the fall out afterwards and implementing counselling for those who are or who were touched by cancer. We currently have a student who is terminal and I am the only staff member who is a recent survivor at the school. I believe its an excellent idea, I have studied the lesson guidelines etc so its a steady as it goes approach. However there are gaps in the lesson plans.

    Cheers

  • http://www.peteramichelli.com pamichelli

    Hi Maree- as a recent middle school teacher doing “coverages” I thought this may be the ideal way to introduce children to what is cancer. The lesson plans are a start….anything you can offer relating to your own experience teaching about cancer would really be very helpful.

    thanks!

    Peter :^)

  • Cindy

    When I was diagnosed with breast cancer 2yrs ago, my boys were 2 and 4yrs old. Explaining my illness and treatment with Simon, my 4yr old, was kept simple but difficult for me. My 2yr old, Max, just knew I had to have “medicine” put in my port every 2wks. Most children these days hear the word cancer and think the person is going to die. Whether it’s from experience or hearing about others. We need to let our children know that cancer does not equal death. They need hope just as much as us who are diagnosed. My boys were my strength during my battle.

  • http://teachermum.wordpress.com/ Maree

    Hi there,

    I had a meeting with the Headmaster again today who expressed strong reservations from a senior management point of view and a lot of it has to do with the fact I have just returned from surgery and a tumour etc.

    The other is the sensitivity towards a student who is terminal and how raw it is for the family as well as students who have parents with cancer. I think the initiative is excellent and the letters to parents etc are very well thought out. I think there needs to be more expression with regards to “how do you talk to someone with cancer.”

    I will be addressing the school assembly and sharing my story because at times having cancer can be a lonely experience and incorporating issues on friendship groups and what it means to be a friend and what to say. Some of the topics I will talk about (I would love to know your thoughts are) 1) Introducing the elephant in the room – what does it feel like to be told you have cancer 2) What chemo actually feel like 3) What do I need as a survivor with regards to mateship 4) What is ok and what is not.

    I still need to sketch it out however in that I will be running it past the school psychologist, the Headmaster and the pastorial care department to ensure that if it triggers any ‘emotional reaction’ then there are strategies in place to assist students.

    Ill keep you posted if you like and forward through my “psych checked” draft!

    Cheers
    Maree

  • milford ny class of 2012

    we are leaving this comment for the purpose of livestrong day at our school. we are a committee of people dedicated to raising awareness about cancer at our school. we would like to get everyone involved and interested in the fight against against cancer and would greatly appriciate if lance armstrong or an active member of LAF could write us a letter explaining what this organization is about.

  • http://www.carepages.com/carepages/thomasmolina Lisa Molina

    Thanks for recognizing our youngest, bravest heroes in the battle with cancer. Watching my 13 year old son have to endure 2 relpases of leukemia – while also trying to keep up with his schoolwork and negotiate the already crazy middle school years has been interesting, to say the least. Schools need more awareness of chilhdood cancer issues – during treatment and afterwards to ensure these kids are successful in school and in life.
    Lisa Molina
    Austin, TX

  • Kim

    I am looking for some ideas for school fundraising tips for uncoming Livestrong day. I would like to approach our local district. Thanks!