HealthMPowers Schools Honored By The Alliance For a Healthier Generation For Fighting Childhood Obesity

Five HealthMPowers’ participating schools received Bronze recognition from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation this month. These schools included:

Beecher Hills Elementary; Atlanta Public School,

Bleckley County Primary; Bleckley County,

City Park Elementary; Dalton City School,

Huntley Hills Elementary and Montessori School; Dekalb County and

          Jackson Road Elementary; Griffin-Spaulding County.

Pictured from left to right:  Elisabeth Spaulding; Huntley Hills, Megan Pline; Jackson Road, and    Jodi Brown; City Park. Not pictured:  Jan Allen; Bleckley Primary and Kristin Horton; Beecher Hills.

For Bronze level recognition, schools had to demonstrate their work or new improvements in their nutrition and physical activity programs, policies and environments to meet or exceed the standards set by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program.  School principals, staff and nutrition directors worked together to make the necessary changes and document their work and progress.  The award is the culmination of many months of hard work by a team of individuals at each school. 

“We are pleased to see that these schools’ efforts to promote healthy behaviors for students, staff and families have not gone unnoticed” said Christi Kay, Executive Director, HealthMPowers.  “These schools provide outstanding examples of how schools can integrate healthy eating and physical activity into the school day.”

Here is what a few of our award winning schools had to say:

“The fact that we were already associated with HealthMPowers gave us a big advantage in knowing about the Alliance for a Healthier Generation Award Recognition.” Megan Pline, Technology Teacher, Jackson Road Elementary School

 “This was an ongoing process, with small steps occurring over many months.   The greatest benefit in making changes was that the students are realizing the impact and importance of a healthy diet and lifestyle.” Elisabeth Spaulding, Physical Education Specialist, Huntley Hills Elementary and Montessori School

“Students are more aware of the importance of eating healthy and exercising.  Teachers are consistently exercising more with their classes and teaching about healthy eating habits and the benefits of exercising.  Administrators are more conscious of using healthy rewards instead of candy.” Jan Allen, Physical Education Specialist, Bleckley Primary School

“The snacks sold to students are now in compliance with the USDA which is great because the students have an example of what healthy snacks are and have opportunities to taste them.”  Kristin Horton, Physical Education Specialist, Beecher Hills Elementary School

Schools share some of the program additions or changes they have embraced as they move to improve:

City Park Elementary School, Dalton, GA
City Park Elementary School has initiated a number of programs to increase opportunities for physical activity such as "Healthy Cats Running Club" and "Marathon Runners".  School meals are much healthier with fresh fruits and vegetables being offered and fried food and desserts removed from the lunch program.

Bleckley County Primary School, Cochran, GA
Bleckley County Primary has a number of initiatives at school to promote staff wellness.  A Health Risk and Fitness Appraisal was offered to all staff.   This was a series of tests that establiched an overall profile of an individual's current health.  A classroom is converted to a physical fitness room after school and staff have the opportunity to participate in Zumba.   The students and staff also play "Catch a Teacher Being Healthy", which is a game where students are on the lookout for staff making healthy choices throughout the day.  This is a great educational game for the students and an opportunity for teachers to make heatlhy choices.

Beecher Hills Elemetary School, Atlanta, GA
Beecher Hills Elementary started a school garden in which the vegetables from the garden will be used in school meals.  In addition, staff will use the harvest as an enrichment program to teach students how to cook healthy.  Students at Beecher Hills can also participate as Student Wellness Ambassadors.  The Ambassadors provide information to the student body, via closed-circuit television, about healthy eating.

Jackson Road Elementary School Griffin, GA
To increase access to healthier foods, Jackson Road Elementary provides more fresh fruits and vegetabels during lunch.  In addition, the school does not offer fried foods for either breakfast or lunch.  Students, parents and staf have access to the school track before and after school as well as on weekends.  Staff can participate in Zumba class and a health screening assessment was provided to staff members as well.

Huntley Hills Elementary and Montessori School, Chamblee, GA
Huntley Hills started a physical activity program before school called "Tiger Tune Up".  The program averages 100-120 students per day.  In addition, classes use fitness DVD's for physical activity breaks during the school day.  The school also hosted taste tests where students and parents got to sample various fruits and vegetables.

Twelve other Georgia schools where among the 275 schools recognized nationally.   Of these twelve schools 4 are HealthMPowers alumni schools.  “We could not be more proud of the accomplishments of all these schools,” said Andy Isakson, Board Chair for HealthMPowers. 

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, founded by the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation, recognizes schools across the country for transforming thier campuses into healthier places for students and staff.  HealthMPowers is proud to partner with the Alliance ans support schools in attaining this recognition.  Schools are eligible for teh Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum national recognition awards based on their level of achievement.  For more information on joining the Healthy Schools Program go to  www.healthiergeneration.org or contact HealthMPowers at contactus@healthmpowers.org