Bryan and Saeger Middle Schools Receive 2012 National Recognition Award for Healthy Schools
Posted on 06/11/2012
Bryan Middle School and Saeger Middle School have achieved the 2012 Bronze National Recognition Award from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, which is an honor given nationally to showcase and acknowledge schools that have implemented changes to create healthier school environments.
Since the 1970’s the obesity rate has tripled causing one in three children to be overweight or obese, which has led to various health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, elevated blood pressure, increased risk of cancer and asthma. To tackle this health epidemic and to improve the health of the nation’s children schools have worked to implement healthier school environments through nutritional education, serving healthier foods and physical education and providing physical activities.
Bryan and Saeger Middle Schools followed the seven step process within the Healthy Schools Program, which gave instruction and insight about developing a wellness council and policies; serving multi-dimensional meals that provide students with the proper amount of daily calories and nutrients; eliminating unhealthy beverages and snacks from vending machines and lunch lines; introducing skill-based instruction and curriculum to teach students about important health behaviors such as good nutrition and physical activity; implementing employee wellness plans for staff; allowing at least 45 minutes of physical education for a more active lifestyle; and how to encourage overall student wellness.
Both schools will receive an exclusive invitation to the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s annual recognition event to celebrate their achievement in the fall of 2012. Additionally, each school will receive a Bronze National Recognition Award package, which will include a large indoor banner, posters to have around the school, a certificate of recognition, and other celebratory items.
The school’s participation in the program enables the school to fulfill the goals/standards set forth by the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Child Nutrition Act, which were passed in 2010. These standards are mandated to be fully implemented by the 2012-2013 School Year and participation in the US Healthy Challenge will help Bryan and Saeger to become a Team Nutrition School, while collaborating with Sodexo, the District’s food service provider, to ensure a strong and fluid transition. Next school year all schools within the Francis Howell School District will be eligible for national recognition from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation works to address one of the nation’s leading public health threats—childhood obesity. The goal of the Alliance is to reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity by 2015, and to empower kids nationwide to make healthy lifestyle choices. Founded in 2005 by the American Heart Association and William J. Clinton Foundation, the Alliance works to positively affect the places that can make a difference in a child’s health: homes, schools, doctor’s offices, and communities.