Our schools just keep getting healthier

You may remember this HDC Advance post from a year ago reporting that 21 Washington schools had won the HealthierUS School Challenge. If you thought that was good, wait until you hear what happened this year.

The number of award-winning schools doubled.

No, not nearly doubled, not almost doubled. Exactly twice as many schools won awards this year. We must be doing something right!

Photo credit:  HUSSC

The HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) is a voluntary certification initiative for schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. It supports First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move campaign by recognizing schools that are creating healthier school environments through their promotion of good nutrition and exercise. Sponsored by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, the initiative encourages all schools take a leadership role in helping students to make healthier eating and physical activity choices that will last a lifetime.

To receive any of the bronze, silver, gold and gold of distinction awards, the schools had to meet the 2012 HUSSC criteria to show that they have taken the necessary steps to improve the nutritional quality of the foods they serve, provide students with nutrition education and physical education, and opportunities for physical activity.

National recognition is great, of course, but each award also comes with a monetary prize: $500 for bronze; $1,000 for silver; $1,500 for gold; and $2,000 for gold of distinction.

Want to find out if your children's school made the mark? Here's the list of the 42 winning Washington schools.

To read this story in Spanish, click here.

For some Washington schools, good nutrition pays off. Literally.

By all accounts America is getting heavier and our state is not the exception. Want proof? Just today the AP reported that our ferries are adjusting their capacity guidelines due to the fact that we’re getting bigger.  
 
Obesity is a problem, but so is the other end of the spectrum and, unfortunately, too many kids in America are either too heavy or too thin.
 
But here in Washington we’re doing something about it and our efforts have not gone unnoticed. Want proof?  The Healthier US School Challenge recently awarded 21 of our schools in five school districts (Camas, Battle Ground, Highline, Hockinson and Marysville) cash incentive awards based on how they:

• Improve nutritional quality in food 
• Provide nutrition education  
• Provide physical education and opportunities for physical activity

For details on what the awards entail and to see if your school made the cut, read the press release by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction here.

To read this story in Spanish, click here.