Healthy Schools Campaign

Congratulations to the Winning Student Chefs at Cooking up Change!

Congratulations to all the amazing student chefs who participated in the Cooking up Change healthy cooking contest! All of the teams created tasty, healthy school meals that wowed judges and guests at the benefit. Even more remarkable: the teams met nutrition requirements while ordering from a set ingredient list and spending just about a dollar per meal for ingredients. And they did it with less than six weeks to prepare!

HSC is pleased to offer special congratulations to the winning teams:

School Lunch Awards

First place: Tilden Career Community High School

Chicken Jambalaya with Jalapeno Cornbread and Cucumber Salad

 

Second place: Richards Career Academy

Twice Baked Sheppard's Pie with Pub Salad and a side of Cinnamon Bread Pudding with Spice Sauce

Third place: Chicago Vocational Career Academy

Mom's Chicken Salad with Farmer's Market Vegetable Soup and Harvest Apple Crisp

Audience Choice Award

Corliss High School

Cranberry-Raisin-Walnut Cookie

Cookie-preneur Awards

Chicago Vocational Career Academy

Abracadabra Bars

 

Clemente Community Academy High School

Spiced Pumpkin Cookie

Corliss High School

Cranberry-Raisin-Walnut Cookie

Many thanks to all of the team mentors, judges and culinary instructors behind the cooking contest, and to all of the sponsors and host committee members who make Cooking up Change possible!

 

Good Luck to the Cooking up Change Student Chefs: A Message From White House Assistant Chef Sam Kass

Cooking up Change is only a few days away and we're getting excited. Our high school student chefs are finalizing their healthy school lunch menus as they prepare for the competition. We can't say enough about how thrilled we are for their participation in HSC's healthy culinary contest. The meals that the students create will be part of a national dialogue on the future of school food, highlighting the power of student engagement in healthy change.

But we also think that Assistant White House Chef Sam Kass says it better than even we could. Sam got to know Cooking up Change when he prepared the winning meal from Cooking up Change 2008 alongside the student chefs who designed it at a briefing on the future of school food.

Check out his message to the young chefs:

Here's a transcript of Sam's remarks:

How's it going, my name is Sam Kass, I'm an assistant chef at the White House. I'd like to welcome you to Cooking up Change, it's an exciting night. I know all of you guys are a little bit nervous and excited for this big event. But stay calm and relax. I'm really excited to see all of the amazing dishes you guys are going to create.

We all know how important it is to feed our kids healthy, delicious meals every day when they go to school for lunch. This is something that is a top priority for us here at the White House. And we are excited and thrilled by the new energy that you are going to bring to this, all of the creativity that you have, and the fact that you are the future of chefs in America.

So I really look forward to hearing and seeing and maybe tasting what you guys come up with, and see the winning team in Washington.

Good luck!

We couldn't have said it better! So good luck. We can't wait to see you there!

For more details, visit www.cookingupchange.org.

Veggies, Hula Hoops and the Future of School Food: HSC at the White House Healthy Kids Fair

By Rochelle Davis, Founding Executive Director

Yesterday I had the pleasure and privilege of participating in Healthy Kids Fair at the White House. It was a fun event with an important message and I was thrilled that Healthy Schools Campaign was able to be part of it.

Of course I've been following the First Lady's work promoting healthy food and fitness, especially around the White House Garden and the farmers market. But being able to actually participate in an event at the White House and hear first-hand her comments about promoting healthy eating at home and in schools, seeing her interact with children eating healthy food and engaging in physical activity was a real treat. And yes, she actually did the hula hoop (142 rotations, according to the AP) and jumped rope.  

Amidst her strong message about the need for healthy eating and physical activity, Mrs. Obama’s comments were humorous and filled with practical advice. The event included a policy announcement --  expanding the USDA’s existing Healthier Schools USA program -- that was great though not really game-changing in the movement for healthier school food.

But the First Lady's involvement clearly demonstrates a strong commitment by the Administration to improving school food.  In fact, Secretary of Agriculture Vlisack told the crowd at the fair that when President Obama asked him to become the Secretary of Agriculture, the President told him that improving school food needed to be his top priority.

As I left this event, I couldn't help but think of something that many of us who care about kids' wellness have been saying again and again lately: it really is a new day for school food and fitness.

Seeing this type of enthusiasm for veggies and hula hoops coming from the White House is more than just encouraging and fun: it changes the conversations we have about good food and physical activity by creating a climate in which these things are valued and applauded. 

Global Handwashing Day Today - Win a Glitterbug Kit!

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UPDATE: Congratulations to @dese2, winner of our Global Handwashing Day Twitter contest! She'll receive a Glitterbug handwashing kit for her school. 

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Today is Global Handwashing Day! So, Healthy Schools Campaign wants to remind everyone that good habits can protect us all from getting germs -- and spreading germs -- at home, school, or work. Simple actions such as covering your mouth and nose and cleaning your hands often, can stop the spread of germs, prevent illnesses and cut back on absenteeism.

Three Steps to Stop the Spread of Germs

Make sure you:

1. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough
   
2. Clean your hands often
3. Remind your children to practice healthy habits, too

1. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing

Cough or sneeze into a tissue and then throw it away. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

2. The "Happy Birthday" song helps keep your hands clean?

Not exactly. Yet we recommend that when you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. That's about the same time it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice!

3. Alcohol-Based Hand Wipes and Gel Sanitizers Work Too

When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. Non-alcohol-based hand sanitizers may also be useful. You can find these in most supermarkets and drugstores. 

Resources

You can download and print these posters from the CDC to help educate people in your schools about the importance of hand hygiene.

Poster of Boy	English	Spanish
Poster of Girl	English	Spanish
Cover your Cough	English	Spanish

Win a Glitterbug Handwashing Kit for Your School!

In honor of Global Handwashing Day, HSC is hosting a drawing to give away a Giltterbug Handwashing Kit for you to provide to your school. This kit includes everything one needs to present an effective and memorable hand hygiene training event. The kit includes: GlowBar lamp with 4 D-Cell batteries, AC adapter for plug-in convenience, Handwash DVD (HCU.DVD), GlitterBug Potion (240ml), GlitterBug Powder (68gm), GlitterBug Instruction Manual, How to Wash poster (P132), two pages of "I Was Rude" stickers (ST6), two Hand Brushes and one GlitterBug Champion Medallion. Estimated Retail Value: $185.

All you have to do to enter the drawing is to tweet on Twitter about handwashing on October 14 or 15, 2009 with @healthyschools in the tweet. For example:

@Healthyschools - Global Handwashing Day Today! RT to win free Glitterbug kit for your school! http://tiny.cc/X19IZ

Good luck -- and happy handwashing!

Invite Your Legislators to the Through Your Lens Exhibit!

The Through Your Lens Exhibit opens on Capitol Hill today! The photos in the exhibit, all taken by students, teachers and community members around the US, tell a powerful story about the condition of our nation's school buildings.

The exhibit is opening as Congress considers legislation to fund the repair, renovation and construction of safe, healthy, and green school buildings.

Please help us spread the word about the exhibit and ensure that our legislators know how important it is to take a look at the images. Please take a moment to invite your senators and representatives to view the exhibit on Capitol Hill and to join us for the opening reception on Monday, Oct. 5 from 5-7 pm! (In the DC area? Come out and join us yourself! And bring a friend!) You can view the exhibit:

•     Online at www.throughyourlens.org
•     In the in the Russell Rotunda of the Senate office building  Capitol Hill Oct. 5-9.

Thank you for helping show our elected leaders the often unseen reality of our nation’s school building conditions.

Through Your Lens Photo Exhibit Opens on Capitol Hill Next Week!

By Mark Bishop, Deputy Director

We're thrilled announce that photos and stories from our Through Your Lens contest (which we've been blogging about over the last few weeks) will be shown in a special exhibit on Capitol Hill next week! The Through Your Lens exhibit will be on display from Oct. 5-9 in the Russell Rotunda of the Senate office building on Capitol Hill.

The exhibit will open as Congress is considering legislation to fund the repair, renovation and construction of safe, healthy schools.

The photos and stories in the exhibit were submitted by students, teachers and community members across the country. The exhibit provides an honest window into our public school facilities: the parts that are inspiring and the parts we need to change.

Despite the importance of school buildings to teaching, learning, health, environment and community vibrancy, many of our nation’s public school buildings remain in poor condition. With legislation to provide federal support for school construction, modernization, and renovation moving through both the House and Senate, the time to act is now.

Help us by getting involved. There are three things you can do:

• Join us at the exhibit!  If you're in the DC area next week, come and see the exhibit. Or come to our exhibit opening event on Monday, Oct. 5 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm to meet some of the student photographers and hear from advocates for safe, healthy schools. (Click here to RSVP.) If you can't make it, you can always view the photos online.

• Invite your legislators to the exhibit! Send a message to your legislators telling them to stop by the rotunda and view the exhibit. We want to make sure they see the reality of our nation's school building conditions.

• Help spread the word about the exhibit! Click here for links or sample messages to share Through Your Lens with your friends.

We're excited for the opportunity to bring these images to DC -- and we hope to see you at the exhibit next week!

Support HSC by Shopping at Any Chicago Whole Foods Market on Tuesday, Sept. 22!

Tomorrow, Tuesday Sept. 22, you can make a difference for children’s health and our environment at the same time you get your groceries!

Five percent of the day’s sales at all Chicago Whole Foods Markets will be donated to Healthy Schools Campaign to support our work on behalf of our environment, our children and education.

HSC staff and some very talented student chefs from the Chicago Public Schools culinary arts program will be on hand at different points throughout the day with cooking demonstrations, healthy school lunch tastings, and opportunities to take action to change the future of school lunch. Be sure to drop by to see us at any of the participating locations:

South Loop 1101 S. Canal St. Lincoln Park 1550 N. Kingsbury St. Gold Coast 30 W. Huron St. Halsted & Waveland 3640 N. Halsted St. Lakeview 3300 N. Ashland Ave.

We hope to see you tomorrow at Whole Foods!

You can learn more online and invite your friends to join you at the market!

Through Your Lens Photos Open Window into Nation's School Buildings

What does a school look like?

Students from across the US have been answering that question with more clarity than we could have imagined when we launched the Through Your Lens Photo & Essay Contest several weeks ago.

With powerful images and vivid stories, students are giving us all a window into what our nation’s school buildings really look like. As the contest comes to a close, we’re working to bring many of these images to Congress, with an upcoming exhibit at the US Capitol and a book documenting the remarkable pictures and stories as our elected leaders debate legislation for school building maintenance and repair.

Here, we’ve excerpted a few of the many entries. You can find all of the photos and stories online at the Through Your Lens gallery.

Bullet Hole? by Kristen from Scotts Valley

Classroom Decor. by Caitlin from Aurora.

Fresh Fruit in a Land of Fast Food. by Susana from Los Angeles.

 

Art in the Bathroom. by Reid from Charlottesville.

If you would like to share any of these photos or stories with your Congressional leaders, be sure to visit the Through Your Lens action center to send a letter and link to the image!

Welcome, HSC Worms!

by Tara Kennon, HSC communications manager

We were thrilled to see the news that Illinois Governor Pat Quinn recently signed SB99 into law, making it legal to compost commercially in Illinois and then transport the resulting mega-nutrient-rich compost to other states nationwide. Old laws restricting commercial composting -- and especially the transport of compost across state lines -- made it difficult for schools and many other institutions in Illinois to compost on any large scale.

HSC applauds Gov. Quinn and the legislators who made this sensible law a reality. As Kay McKeen, founder and executive director of SCARCE (School & Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education) says, "There are bills out there that are good for everyone and this is one of them." We look forward to seeing a resulting increase in composting around the state!

Here at HSC, we have been taking steps into the world of composting as well. HSC works with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) to bring together the district's Environmental Action Plan Taskforce, a group of school and community leaders who make recommendations for putting the plan in action. One facet of this project involves exploring the feasibility of composting in schools. We've found that composting is one activity that brings so many benefits to a school community -- benefits for the environment, true hands-on experiences with biological sciences for students, and invaluable lessons in environmental stewardship for everyone involved.

To better understand what composting involves for a school, we decided to give it a try in our office. As our founding executive director Rochelle Davis explained, if everyone in our office can understand the challenges of composting first-hand, we'll be better able to help schools (with many more people) put programs into action.

With the help and encouragement of Kate Weinans, UIUC Extension Youth Program Organizer at the University of Illinois Extension program, we kicked off our very own Healthy Schools vermi-composting effort -- that is, the kind of composting that involves worms. Take a look at this video of the day we welcomed our squirmy, wriggly new suite mates to the office:

Running for Your Knees!

By Mark Bishop, Deputy Director

As a runner of more than 15 years, it brought great joy to my heart (and knees) to read this...

An article in Skeletal Radiology, a well-respected journal, created something of a sensation in Europe last year. It reported that researchers from Danube Hospital in Austria examined the knees of marathon runners using M.R.I. imaging, before and after the 1997 Vienna marathon. Ten years later, they scanned the same runners’ knees again. The results were striking. “No major new internal damage in the knee joints of marathon runners was found after a 10-year interval,” the researchers reported.

And in slightly more approachable language, the article speculates that “continuous exercise is protective, rather than destructive,” to knees.

And the story doesn't end there.

An important 2008 study, this one from Stanford University, followed middle-aged, longtime distance runners (not necessarily marathoners) for nearly 20 years... After 20 years, however, the runners’ knees were healthier... Barely 2 percent of the runners’ knees were severely arthritic, while almost 10 percent of the control group’s were. “We were quite surprised,” says Eliza Chakravarty, an assistant professor at the Stanford University School of Medicine and lead author of the study. “Our hypothesis going in had been that runners, because of the repetitive pounding, would develop more frequent and more severe arthritis.”

And...

A group of engineers and doctors at Stanford published a study in the February issue of The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery that showed that by moving and loading your knee joint, as you do when walking or running, you “condition” your cartilage to the load. It grows accustomed to those particular movements. You can run for miles, decades, a lifetime, without harming it.

So I'll admit: this doesn't connect directly to school health policy. But it's a reminder for us all to get out there and move our bodies. Whether we run, dance, swim or just go for some really good walks, it's great to be reminded that exercise is really, really good for us -- kids and adults -- in ways that we may not think about every day.

And for those running for HSC's marathon team (as I am), good luck, and train on knowing that you're keeping your heart, mind and knees strong -- all for a great cause.

Thanks for your support!

And if you'd like to help support HSC's running team (or my run for that matter), click here...