The efforts of students, staff and faculty at Sherman Elementary and Grant County High School to improve health and wellness were recently recognized by the Northern Kentucky Health Department with the Award of Excellence in School Health. They each received a “Silver Level” award!
The “Award of Excellence in School Health” was developed to recognize and celebrate schools in Northern Kentucky that have policies, programs, and the infrastructure to support and promote school health.
“Nutrition, physical activity, school environment and community involvement – they all come together to affect our health, “ said Lynne Saddler, MD, MPH, District Director of Health, Secretary. “We’re proud to acknowledge that Grant County High School and Sherman Elementary have taken a positive approach to improving health for students, faculty, and staff.”
This spring, the Health Department presented 14 “Award of Excellence in School Health” awards to Northern Kentucky schools. Grant County High School and Sherman Elementary were two of only nine schools to receive the silver level award.
Grant County High School received recognition thanks to several healthy changes in the cafeteria and in vending machines, such as a sandwich bar stocked with fresh fruit and vegetables, and baked snacks offered in the vending machines. Sherman Elementary engages in various physical activity strategies to get students moving at least 30 minutes daily throughout the year, including: Girls on the Run, the Health Department’s Walk and Roll Challenge, Take 10, field day, and the Healthy Monday campaign’s Monday Mile (a weekly mile-long walk on Mondays).
To be eligible for the awards, schools completed a comprehensive application form that assessed the areas of physical activity and nutrition, staff wellness, and school environments that enhance emotional and mental health and student safety. The application also assessed how well schools cultivate the 40 Developmental Assets, which are qualities essential to raising successful young people.
Highlights of the 14 award-winning schools may be viewed on the Health Department’s Fitclassrooms Web site (http://www.fitclassrooms.com/), a resource created for Northern Kentucky school staff which contains information on funding opportunities, Health Department services for schools, and other resources to help schools to create a healthy school environment.
Special thanks to Angela Jones, RN (GCHS) and Valerie Blackburn, LPN (SES) for applying for this award on behalf of their respective schools! Winning schools received a banner, plaque, and a gift certificate for physical activity or school supplies.