School Health and Wellness Toolkit – Individual Success Stories

Individual Success Stories

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1. El Paso ISD’s Coordinated School Health Program

• Wellness teams for each elementary and middle school consisting of teaching, staff and administration.
• Quality physical education for 45 min per day, 5 days per week.
• Brain breaks, action-based learning labs.
• Before and After School “Activity Quotient Zones” for increasing physical activity.
• http://www.activeschoolsasap.org/featured-schools/el-paso-independent-school-district

 2. IDEA Public Schools grant winners

• IDEA Public schools is a network of K-12 public charter schools in the Rio Grande Valley, Austin, and San Antonio.
• They received a $2.2 million Physical Education Program grant to enhance physical education, health and wellness programs.
• They were also awarded a $42,000 grant by the US Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services to fund its farm project which provides fully organic and fresh produce grown on campus.
• http://www.ideapublicschools.org

 3. Let’s Move in Magnolia Park

• In coordination with CAN DO Houston they have started free zumba, yoga, and other classes based on community interest.
• There is also the CAN DO bus providing transportation to students to after school enrichment programs and a free snack and supper.
• http://www.candohouston.org/magnolia-park.html

4. Mission FitPossible

• Started by middle school students in Corpus Christi ISD.
• Students partnered with the district superintendent and Mayor’s Fitness Council to host booths at health fairs, workshops for coaches, and 10-week contest to determine the healthiest school.
• Annual 5K Run/3K Walk to raise money for physical education equipment.
• They have raised $50,000 so far to be exclusively used by the district to purchase or restore PE equipment.
• https://www.healthiergeneration.org/_asset/bn4wj9/CC-one-pager.pdf

5. Read, Deed, and Run Marathon

• West Memorial Elementary of the Katy ISD.
• Students in 3^rd to 5^th grade commit to a 26-week program during which they read 26 books, do 26 good deeds, and run 26.2 miles.
• Finishers earn a medal and t-shirt in May at the program end.
• http://www.katyisd.org/campus/WME/Pages/Read,-Deed,-Run.aspx

 6. Collaboration with the Alliance for Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program

• James Bowie Elementary in Dallas, TX.
• Formed a school wellness council whose priorities were to improve quality of school food and increase physical activity opportunities.
• Removed all vending machines and swapped out snack options to comply with USDA nutrition standards.
• Participation in the 100 Mile Club (http://100mileclub.com/) to encourage running, jogging and walking, along with 3 mile races on Saturdays.
• https://www.healthiergeneration.org/about_childhood_obesity/wellness_stories/2014/08/20/968/all_in_texas_school_has_no_limits_on_health

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1. Colorado Educational Initiative (previously the Colorado Legacy Foundation)

• This organization has collaborated with Colorado schools to improve the health and wellness of its students in various ways.
  1. “Health Buddies” – students keep each other accountable.
  2. Morning announcements relevant to health.
  3. Science projects on wellness, nutrition, or physical activity.
  4. Physical activity breaks.
  5. Developing physical activity and nutrition best practices for schools.
• http://www.coloradoedinitiative.org/

2. Colorado School District

• Nutrition
  1. Students visit cafeteria to learn about food safety, food preparation, or other nutrition-related topics.
  2. Taste-testing nutritious foods.
  3. http://www.cde.state.co.us/nutrition/nutriprograms
• Physical education
  1. Partnering PE teachers with other subject teachers. Example: using math skills to measure heart rates and graph data.
  2. http://www.cde.state.co.us/cohealthpe/resources

 3. Eat Smart, Play Hard

• Kansas State Department of Education created a website with instructional/educational videos for use in schools as well as resources for educators and parents.
• This same website also highlights successful efforts in individual schools and medal status in the Healthier US School Challenge.
• http://www.eatsmartplayhard.org/

4. Collaborations with the Alliance for Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program

• Anne Frank Elementary in Philadelphia, PA.
  1. Offers salads at lunch several days per week and healthier classroom celebrations with fruits instead of just sweets.
  2. All students are getting 60 min of physical activity per day.
  3. Before-school walking club, after-school yoga and kickboxing classes for parents, students, and teachers.
  4. Hosted a 5K color run for the community with over 300 participants.
  5. https://www.healthiergeneration.org/about_childhood_obesity/wellness_stories/anne_frank_elementary/

• John M. Sexon Elementary School in St. Petersburg, FL.
  1. Healthier alternatives added to lunch menu with fun and creative taste testing opportunities for students.
  2. Removed unhealthy vending machines and started healthier and non-food school celebrations.
  3. Added physical activity breaks in the classrooms by providing teachers  with suggested activities on cards and videos.
  4. Recess for every student, every day.
  5. https://www.healthiergeneration.org/about_childhood_obesity/wellness_stories/the_five_year_plan/

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