May 3, 2011: HAPPY WORLD ASTHMA DAY + HAPPY NATIONAL TEACHER DAY/TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY

Happy World Asthma Day	Great Teachers Make Great Public Schools
from RAMP Digest LISTSERV - distributed by Regional Asthma Management and Prevention (RAMP) | http://bit.ly/lJUHPj	from the National Education Association (NEA) | http://bit.ly/muaiFU
3 May 2011 - Today is World Asthma Day. While most of you on this listserv work to reduce the burden of asthma every day of the year, this occasion gives us an opportunity to step back and reflect on the persistent problem of asthma as well as the numerous opportunities to address it. Below this message you’ll also find our usual timely updates on important asthma matters. Asthma continues to be a major public health problem. Nearly 25 million people nationwide have asthma. In California alone, just over 5 million people have been diagnosed with asthma. Although asthma affects Americans of all ages, races, and ethnic groups, some populations are disproportionately impacted by the disease. In particular, African Americans have the highest asthma rates (1 in 5 has been diagnosed with asthma) and the number of Latinos diagnosed with asthma (1.5 million) is greater than any other minority group in California. Fortunately, we know a lot about how to address this problem. We need world-class clinical management for children and adults, as well as strong environmental protections to promote clean skies, schools, and homes. RAMP also recognizes that in order to reduce asthma disparities we need to look at the root causes. We are committed to taking actions to address the environmental and social inequities that contribute to the disproportionate burden of asthma in low-income communities and communities of color. That includes changing policies, systems, and environments that contribute to and maintain the multitude of inequities that lead to asthma disparities. These changes will ultimately improve health for all. RAMP is committed to expanding the field’s knowledge of effective research and practice in the area of asthma disparities. We recently created an Inequities Clearinghouse to share information about the role of environmental and social inequities in contributing to asthma disparities as well as to highlight promising practices from , groups across the country that successfully address inequities. Please visit our website to review and recommend resources.	National Teacher Day will be celebrated May 3, 2011 On National Teacher Day, thousands of communities take time to honor their local educators and acknowledge the crucial role teachers play in making sure every student receives a quality education.   from Mrs. Walkers Website TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY written by Lynn Plourde, illustrated by Thor Wickstrom Dutton Children's Books 2003 Teacher Appreciation Day was tomorrow. And everyone in Mrs. Shepherd’s class knew exactly how they would show their appreciation to Mrs. Shepherd. Everyone, that is, except . . . Maybella Jean Wishywashy. Maybella couldn’t seem to make up her mind, no matter how hard she tried. “Eeny meeny miney mo. So many choices, I just don’t know.” http://www.lynnplourde.com/teacherappreciation.html   Thank you Mrs. Richardson, 3rd Grade, Greenfield School, Lee’s Summit Mo. and Mr. Thomas Ebenezer Schaefer 6th Grade, Princes Gate American School, London, England …and all the rest.- wherever you are.  - for all you do for kids  - every day. - smf