Healthy Schools Campaign

Because Every Child Deserves to Run and Play

As 2012 comes to a close, we are taking a moment to reflect on HSC's work this year and on the reasons we believe this effort is so important. Thank you for being part of this movement!

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Physical activity boosts kids’ energy and can power them through a day of learning—and a lifetime of better health. Plus, jump rope, hula hoop, running and playing kick up the fun in a child’s school experience while bolstering imagination and social skills. For kids’ learning, for their health and for their love of play, Healthy Schools Campaign advocates for recess and physical activity at school.

 

Learn more and help make sure kids can run and play in your community! To hear stories from advocates, parents, teachers and principals who are bringing physical activity back into the school day, visit the exercise and recess section of HSC’s blog. For practical tips on boosting physical activity in school, download our tip sheet [pdf].

Give the gift of activity. You have the power to make sure every child has the chance to run and play. Your gift supports Healthy Schools Campaign’s ongoing advocacy for recess, physical education and opportunities for physical activity in the classroom. This brings great benefits not only for kids’ health, but for their learning as well.
Make a gift »

 

HSC Impact: Parents Win Back Recess
In Chicago, for example, parents in HSC’s Parents United for Healthy Schools coalition gathered thousands of petitions, spoke at board meetings and contacted elected leaders in a strong show of support for bringing back recess. With HSC’s support, parents worked with specific principals to overcome barriers to recess and prove that it would be a success. When parents started working on this issue, only 6 percent of public elementary schools in Chicago offered recess. This year, recess returned to all elementary schools.

 

  Physical activity breaks improve elementary school students’ ability to stay on task during academic work by 20 percent. (Mahar MT, Murphy SK, Rowe DA, et al. Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise, 38(12): 2086-94, 2006.)

At Healthy Schools Campaign, we work to ensure that all children have access to school environments that support their health and learning. To learn more or talk in detail about this effort, we invite you to contact us or visit healthyschoolscampaign.org. In the weeks ahead, we will share more about our work for healthy school food and environmental health. Thank you for being part of the movement for healthy schools!

Celebrate With Us at Cooking up Change!

Cooking up Change is a genuinely meaningful benefit event -- and it's also a ton of fun. (Why else would we keep doing it?)

Here are a few of our favorite things about Cooking up Change:

You'll meet some amazing folks. More than 650 guests come together from across the city, connecting dynamic new leaders from our culinary and cultural communities with political leaders, advocates, aspiring student chefs and a diverse crowd interested in wellness, food and sustainable design.

You'll love the view -- and look so fancy in all the photos. The Skyline Loft at the Bridgeport Art Center is a totally hip space that will make your Facebook friends so jealous when they see what you've been up to. It's housed in the former Spiegel Catalog warehouse and features historic details, soaring ceilings and one of those jaw-dropping views of the Chicago skyline. 

There's plenty of toasting (and reasons to toast). Guests will raise a glass with complimentary beer and wine and enjoy yummy seasonal hors d’oeuvres from Chicago's leading chefs and caterers. Then there's the live music, first-rate silent auction and raffle related to everything from travel to wellness to sustainability. It's hard to go wrong with a line-up like that.

You'll get a free ride! The folks at Uber are offering free rides with their on-demand black car service for Cooking up Change guests who are new to Uber. Just use the promo code we'll share to request a ride, and a private driver will arrive to whisk you and your friends to and from the party at no cost!

The competition is delicious. In what's perhaps our most favorite aspect of Cooking up Change, you'll taste samples created by culinary students in Chicago Public Schools, cast votes for an audience choice award and witness an awards ceremony that's more exciting than anything on reality TV. Being with the students for their special moment makes the whole evening pretty darn priceless. 

You can learn more and purchase tickets online.

Friday, November 9, 2012
6-10 PM

Skyline Loft at the 
Bridgeport Art Center
1200 W. 35th Street
Chicago, IL 60609

We'll be there -- and we hope to see you there, too!

 

Tomorrow, “Making the Financial Case for Green Cleaning” Concludes Green Cleaning Webinar Series

We’ve been happy to host the second annual Green Cleaning Webinar Series. These practical online seminars featured national leaders and on-the-ground experts on green cleaning in schools. Each webinar, offered free of charge, shared strategies to help you start or enhance a current green cleaning program.

On Wednesday, “Making the Financial Case for Green Cleaning” speakers will discuss the financial benefits of green cleaning and share strategies they have identified for saving in product and labor costs. Speakers will share their own stories of implementing cost-effective green cleaning programs.

Speakers include Andi Lee-Marnicio of Blackhawk Intermediate School, Mark Bishop of Healthy Schools Campaign, and Patrick Pizzo of East Meadow Union Free School District.

This webinar is sponsored by

Bonus: Missed one of our green cleaning webinars? Check out the archived sessions here.

Be sure to join the conversation on Twitter! Follow @healthyschools and use #greenclean2012 to send in your questions and comments during the session.

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Plus: Sign up for our green cleaning newsletter for the latest updates in the green cleaning industry.

Do you have an extraordinary green cleaning program? Apply for the Green Cleaning Award for Schools & Universities.

New Technology and Green Cleaning Webinar Tomorrow

We’re so excited to kick off our second annual Green Cleaning Webinar Series. These practical online seminars feature national leaders and on-the-ground experts on green cleaning in schools. Each webinar, offered free of charge, will offer strategies to help you start or enhance a current green cleaning program.

Tomorrow's webinar, "New Technology and Green Cleaning," will feature building engineers and content experts discussing the latest technology in green cleaning and review new products they are using in the schools they serve. In addition, speakers will discuss strategies for creating buy-in among cleaning staff for new green cleaning technology and building support for green cleaning programs throughout the school community.

Speakers include Steve Ashkin of Green Cleaning Network, Mervin Brewer of Salt Lake City School District, and Michael Smith of Western Washington University.

We're really excited about this webinar!

Be sure to join the conversation on Twitter, follow @healthyschools and use #greenclean2012 to send in your questions and comment during the session.

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Plus: Sign up for our green cleaning newsletter for the latest updates in the green cleaning industry. 

Do you have an extraordinary green cleaning program? Apply for the Green Cleaning Award for Schools & Universities.

Green Cleaning Award for Schools & Universities Webinar Tomorrow

We’re so excited to kick off our second annual Green Cleaning Webinar Series. These practical online seminars feature national leaders and on-the-ground experts on green cleaning in schools. Each webinar, offered free of charge, will offer strategies to help you start or enhance a current green cleaning program.

Last month, we launched our Green Cleaning Webinar Series with “Learn from the Leaders.” Tomorrow’s session, “Green Cleaning Award for Schools & Universities,” will focus on the what, why and how-to of the Green Cleaning Award for Schools and Universities. Presenters will highlight best practices and practical tips for easily completing the application and will provide background and history on the award. The goal of the webinar is to make it easy for schools and their partners to apply for the award. 

Speakers include Joe Agron of American School & University magazine, Steve Ashkin of Green Cleaning Network, and Mark Bishop of Healthy Schools Campaign.

This webinar is sponsored by

We are looking forward to another informative webinar!

Be sure to join the conversation on Twitter, follow @healthyschools and use #greenclean2012 to send in your questions and comment during the session.

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Plus: Sign up for our green cleaning newsletter for the latest updates in the green cleaning industry. 

Do you have an extraordinary green cleaning program? Apply for the Green Cleaning Award for Schools & Universities.

Green Cleaning and Infection Control Webinar Tomorrow

We’re so excited to kick off our second annual Green Cleaning Webinar Series. These practical online seminars feature national leaders and on-the-ground experts on green cleaning in schools. Each webinar, offered free of charge, will offer strategies to help you start or enhance a current green cleaning program.



Earlier this month, we kicked off our Green Cleaning Webinar Series with “Learn from the Leaders.” In the next session, “Green Cleaning and Infection Control,” building engineers and content experts will discuss strategies for controlling the spread of infections while maintaining healthy school environments. Tomorrow, speakers will discuss the challenges and solutions involved in making infection control a regular part of your green cleaning program.

Speakers include Mervin Brewer of Salt Lake City School District, Deborah Stafford of Green Chimneys School, and Mark Bishop of Healthy Schools Campaign.

We are looking forward to another informative webinar!

Be sure to join the conversation on Twitter, follow @healthyschools and use #greenclean2012 to send in your questions and comment during the session.

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Plus: Sign up for our green cleaning newsletter for the latest updates in the green cleaning industry.

Do you have an extraordinary green cleaning program? Apply for the Green Cleaning Award for Schools & Universities.

Learn from the Leaders of Green Cleaning Tomorrow

We’re so excited to kick off our second annual Green Cleaning Webinar Series. These practical online seminars feature national leaders and on-the-ground experts on green cleaning in schools. Each webinar, offered free of charge, will offer strategies to help you start or enhance a current green cleaning program.

Tomorrow marks this year’s first webinar in the series, Learn from the Leaders. In this session, winners of the most recent Green Cleaning Award for Schools and Universities will discuss the highlights of their programs and share tips and strategies for starting and sustaining a green cleaning program. A Q&A session will follow the webinar and will give participants the chance to interact with and learn from the Green Clean Award winners.

Speakers include Michael Jones of Columbia Public School District, Jeff Hawkins of Dixon Middle School and Jay Kahn of Central Michigan University.

We are grateful to have these insightful leaders participate in this session and look forward to sharing this exciting webinar with you!

We hope you’ll join us to learn from these leaders in green cleaning for schools!
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Plus: Sign up for our green cleaning newsletter for the latest updates in the green cleaning industry.

Do you have an extraordinary green cleaning program? Apply for the Green Cleaning Award for Schools & Universities.

Announcing the 2012 Green Cleaning Webinar Series!

Healthy Schools Campaign is excited to announce our Green Cleaning Webinars this summer! The series of online seminars will feature national leaders and on-the-ground experts on creating and maintaining a green cleaning program for your schools. These helpful sessions are free of charge to all participants!

Learn about each webinar session below.

 

Learn from the Leaders
Tuesday, July 17 (1-2 p.m. Central)

Winners of the most recent Green Cleaning Award for Schools and Universities will discuss the highlights of their programs and share tips and strategies for starting and sustaining a green cleaning program. A question and answer session will follow the webinar and will give participants the chance to interact with and learn from the Green Clean Award winners.

 

Green Cleaning and Infection Control
Tuesday, July 31 (1-2 p.m. Central)

Building engineers and content experts will discuss strategies for controlling the spread of infections while maintaining healthy school environments. Speakers will discuss the challenges and solutions involved in making infection control a regular part of your green cleaning program.

 

Green Cleaning Award for Schools & Universities
Tuesday, August 7 (1-2 p.m. Central)
This webinar will focus on the what, why and how-to of the Green Cleaning Award for Schools and Universities. Presenters will highlight best practices and practical tips for easily completing the application and will provide background and history on the award. The goal of the webinar is to make it easy for schools and their partners to apply for the award.

 

New Technology and Green Cleaning
Wednesday, August 15 (1-2 p.m. Central)

Building engineers and content experts will discuss the latest technology in green cleaning and review new products they are using in the schools they serve. In addition, speakers will discuss strategies for creating buy-in among cleaning staff for new green cleaning technology and building support for green cleaning programs throughout the school community.

 

Making the Financial Case for Green Cleaning
Wednesday, August 29 (1-2 p.m. Central)

Speakers will discuss the financial benefits of green cleaning and share strategies they have identified for saving in product and labor costs. Speakers will share their own stories of implementing cost-effective green cleaning programs.

 

 

Plus: Be sure to check out HSC's Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools! Click here to learn more and order your free copy of the guide.

Media Spotlights Cooking up Change Student Chefs

Not too long ago, students from across the country gathered in our nation’s capitol to help transform the future of school food. Cooking up Change is a spectacular platform for students to join the national dialogue around healthy school meals. The student chefs were the stars of the day, at the event and in the media! Thanks to the local and national news teams that came to spotlight these talented student chefs.

Photographers capture photos of Arne Duncan’s visit with the Cooking up Change student chefs

Prior to preparing their meal, student chefs from Chicago, Denver, Jacksonville, Santa Ana, St. Louis, and Winston-Salem met with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, who wished the students good luck.

The Cooking up Change Chicago team shared the importance of healthy cooking and eating in addressing childhood obesity with PBS Newshour:

 

Following the contest, the student chefs spoke at a briefing on school food with Pew Charitable Trust. Cooking up Change National co-chair Karen Duncan highlighted their leadership, creativity, and efforts to transform school food.

We’ve already shared the Santa Ana team’s excitement and hopes. Back home, they were featured in the local paper and on television. They also presented their meal with Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez and their chef mentor Katy Clark after winning the contest. The Orange County Register also blogged about their win here. Cooking Teen also focused on the winning team.

Check out some of the other exciting media features below:

• Scripps Howard Foundation Wire - “Students revamp school lunches at national competition” (5/24/2012) Coverage also appears on Infozine.
• McClatchy DC - “Students give Congress a mouthful” (5/23/12), video also available on Medill DC.
• Prevent Obesity’s blog - “"Cooking Up Change" with Student Chefs” (5/22/12)
• Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale) - Hungry? (5/22/12)
• Department of Education’s “Homeroom” blog - “National Healthy Lunch Finals Held at ED” (5/22/12)
• Associated Press - “Winston-Salem students to compete for lunch title” (5/21/12) Article also appears online at Washington Examiner, The Ledger, Press Democrat, and Herald Tribune
• WFLD-TV (FOX affiliate) - “Chicago Cooking up Change Winners Exhibit Award-Winning Recipe” (5/16/12)
• James Beard Foundation’s “Delights and Prejudices” blog - “JBF Partners with Cooking up Change in the Fight for Better School Lunch” (5/15/12)

We’d also like to thank Washington D.C.’s local news service for spotlighting the contest. 

Congratulations to the amazing student chefs who participated in Cooking up Change!

 Bonus: Check out the Department of Education’s Flickr photos from the Cooking up Change event.

Cooking up Change National Healthy Cooking Contest Winners Reflect, Look Ahead

It has been quite a whirlwind for Cooking up Change champion Santa Ana student chefs Alex, Ivan, and Ashley since they won first place in the national healthy cooking contest.

We had a chance to catch up with the Valley High School culinary students as they reflected on their national win.

“It feels really emotional, really exciting,” said team member Alex. “We worked really hard to create a dish that was under a dollar and with the nutritional processes. It was quite challenging, but overall it was amazing.”

The first-time competitors prepared lemon and spinach chicken with Tuscan bean salad and cinnamon poached pears. (Pictured left)

A tearful chef instructor Monica Aguilar described the winning moment: “I was breathless, I was so very excited, beaming with pride for my students and what they've accomplished.”

“For the last three years, I’ve seen them grow amazingly,” she added. “In this last year with Cooking up Change, its been like a growth spurt for them. To see their character, their skill level, just the people they’ve come. It’s amazing and to see the transformation, it’s incredible.”

Each team member received a scholarship to further their education. All three aspiring chefs plan to attend Orange Coast College beginning this summer. Ivan is looking forward to starting his career. His teammate Ashley said her goal is to “continue our path, become culinary artists” and to continue to “take into deep consideration how being healthy is a actually a lifestyle. I’m looking forward to doing it in the future.”

Although they’ll be graduating this year and no longer eating school lunch, they understand the impact their meal has in creating meaningful change. “It might not impact us directly because we’re about to graduate from school, but we’ve seen the changes that people are trying make,” Ashley  said. “The fact that my niece and my little sister can have different food in school is better for everyone.”

The Cooking up Change Santa Ana student chefs Alex, Ashley, and Ivan

A proud Alex expressed his hopes for the future. “I hope we get a chance to serve our meal in our community and maybe local markets, present it and tell people more about it,” he said. “Thats my vision, I want to make a change. We are going to cook up change, we are going to change how everyone eats.”

Since returning home, the students have been featured in their local paper. They have also been spotlighted on NBC Los Angeles. Check out a special segment below:

Kudos Santa Ana!

Go for the Gold Campaign Recognizes Chicago Schools’ Commitment to Nutrition and Fitness

We are pleased to announce that 37 CPS schools will be recognized today for meeting high standards for student health and wellness through Go for the Gold! Twenty-eight of the schools have been certified for meeting USDA standards for healthy food, fitness, and nutrition education set by the HealthierUS School Challenge. Certification for another nine CPS schools is pending.  In the Midwest, this is the largest number of schools in one district to achieve the HealthierUS School Challenge.

Go for the Gold is a partnership of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and Healthy Schools Campaign with the USDA’s Midwest Region and the Illinois State Board of Education Department of Nutrition. The HealthierUS School Challenge is the program that First Lady Michelle Obama is urging schools to pursue. The 37 schools being recognized join 19 CPS schools that earned Go for the Gold certification last year.

Since its launch in August 2010, Go for the Gold has connected Chicago Public Schools with health and wellness resources ranging from nutrition education initiatives to sports and physical activity programs. The challenge includes standards for school food, physical activity, physical education and nutrition education. The campaign builds on the school food program that CPS rolled out for the 2010-11 school year, which meets and in many cases exceeds the gold standard of the HealthierUS School Challenge.

“Go for the Gold brings together parents, school leaders, chefs, school nurses, and many others to support schools in providing a healthy environment for Chicago children,” said Rochelle Davis, President and CEO of Healthy Schools Campaign.

The following schools will be recognized for all their hard work in prioritizing health and wellness:

Bronze Award

• Andrew Jackson Elementary Language Academy
• Edgar Allan Poe Classical School
• Gale Math and Science
• John C. Coonley Elementary School
• Jonathan Burr Elementary School
• LaSalle Language Academy
• Skinner North Classical School*
• South Loop Elementary
• Stone Elementary Scholastic Academy

Silver Award

• Adlai E. Stevenson Elementary School
• Arthur A. Libby Elementary School
• Ashburn Community Elementary School
• Bradwell School of Excellence
• Charles R Darwin Elementary School
• Edward Everett Elementary School
• Edward White Career Academy*
• Elizabeth Peabody Elementary School
• Florence Nightingale Elementary School*
• Friedrich Ludwig Jahn Elementary School
• George Washington Elementary School*
• Louis Pasteur Elementary School
• Nathan S. Davis Elementary
• Richard J. Daley Elementary Academy
• Thomas Chalmers Specialty  Elementary School*
• Wendell Smith Elementary School*
• William T. Sherman Elementary School*

Gold Award

• Bronzeville Lighthouse Charter School
• Charles Hammond Elementary School*
• Charles W. Earle Elementary School
• Douglas Taylor Elementary School
• Fredric Chopin Elementary School
• Jackie Robinson Elementary School
• Johnnie Colemon Elementary Academy*
• Johnson School of Excellence
• Matthew A. Henson Elementary School
• Miriam G. Canter Middle School
• Morton School of Excellence

*Pending final approval by USDA national headquarters

“The Chicago Public Schools is proud of all of the schools being recognized today for meeting the rigorous challenge of becoming certified in the HealthierUS School Challenge,” said Chicago Public Schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard. “Schools are critical places to make healthy eating and physical activity easy, fun, and routine, and the health of our students is integral to academic success.  These schools have demonstrated their commitment to student health by undertaking the admirable and demanding task of meeting the requirements of the HealthierUS School Challenge.” 

Go for the Gold aligns with city-wide and national efforts to emphasize wellness and prevention. This year Go for the Gold has received support from an obesity prevention project called Healthy Places, a joint effort of the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children (CLOCC).  Both CPS and HSC are lead partners with Healthy Places, working to institute program and policy change and increase organizational capacity to better promote health and wellness for children across the district. Also through Healthy Places, four community-based organizations are supporting over a dozen schools in neighborhoods of high need and health disparity across Chicago to meet the criteria of the HealthierUS School Challenge and participate in Go for the Gold.

 “I commend these schools for their accomplishment as this is a testimony to our city’s commitment to addressing a growing obesity rate amongst our youth,” said Dr. Bechara Choucair, CDPH Commissioner. “Our public health agenda, Healthy Chicago, identifies obesity prevention as one of the top health priorities in Chicago. These schools will set the bar for other schools and organizations around the city and will also have a direct health benefit on their students. ”

The celebration represents a milestone, as this is the largest number of schools in one district in the Midwest to meet the standards of the HealthierUS School Challenge.

“We commend Chicago Public Schools for their strong commitment toward earning certification under the HealthierUS School Challenge,’’ said Illinois State Board of Education Member Dr. Vinni Hall. “Studies have repeatedly proven that good nutrition and physical activity enhance and improve learning and academic performance. These schools have taken important steps toward helping students to understand that connection and develop successful lifelong habits.’’

“The Chicago Public Schools’ Go for the Gold campaign aims to increase the number of HealthierUS School Challenge schools, a key goal of USDA and the First Lady’s Lets Move! initiative. By meeting standards of excellence in school nutrition and physical activity, these schools are ensuring a brighter and healthier future for our nation’s young people,” said USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon.

The celebration includes a health fair, live entertainment and activities for students. A team of mascots including Benny the Bull, mascot of the Chicago Bulls and Power Panther, mascot for the USDA, will be on hand to engage students in the celebration.  More than 200 parents, students, teachers, and advocates are expected to be in attendance.

Speakers include Jean-Claude Brizard, Chicago Public Schools CEO; Rochelle Davis, Healthy Schools Campaign President and CEO; Dr. Vinni Hall, Illinois State Board of Education Member; Annie Lionberger, Chicago Public Schools Manager of Health and Wellness Promotion; Audrey Rowe, Administrator, USDA Food and Nutrition Service; Tara Safonia Shelton, South Loop Elementary School Principal; Dr. Stephanie Whyte, Chicago Public Schools Chief Medical Officer; South Loop Elementary School students and more than 200 parents, teachers, and students from the schools being recognized. 

Go for the Gold is supported by a Civic and Business advisory committee chaired by Karen Atwood, president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, and Terry Mazany, president and CEO of Chicago Community Trust.

To learn more about Go for the Gold, please visit www.goforthegoldCPS.org.

Today, We're Cooking up Change!

Ready, set, whisk!

Today, high school culinary students from Chicago, Denver, Jacksonville, Santa Ana, St. Louis and Winston-Salem are facing off in the Cooking up Change national finals.

These students have crafted healthy, great-tasting school meals that meet strong nutrition standards on a tight budget. They've won local qualifying competitions in their home towns and have been practicing the presentation they'll deliver for the panel of judges at the national finals.

“These student chefs are sending a clear message about what they want on their trays – healthy school food to nourish their bodies and minds," said Rochelle Davis, HSC President and CEO.

Student chef Maria H. put it this way: “We all need energy to concentrate at school, do well at school. Education is the number one thing, and you need a nutritious meal to be able to focus.”

All the teams are bringing impressive recipes that have won thumbs-up from their peers as well as from local judges.

One dish from each team's meal will be served tomorrow at a briefing for Congress on the future of school food and for lunch in the Longworth cafeteria, which serves Congressional leaders and their staff. The students will speak at the briefing to share their experience in Cooking up Change and their perspective on the importance of healthy school food.

You can support the students' efforts by sending a letter urging your senator and representatives and their staff to attend the briefing and try the students' lunch! Send an invitation here.

Which team will take home the trophy? Check back for updates on the winning team! You can also follow the competition live with HSC on Twitter or by checking out #CookingupChange.

Good luck to all the student chefs!

Many thanks to the generous sponsors for Cooking up Change! The Cooking up Change National Healthy Cooking Contest is generously sponsored by Platinum Sponsor Chartwells School Dining Services; Silver Sponsors American Federation of Teachers, and T-Fal; Official Travel Partner Southwest Airlines; and Official Culinary Partner James Beard Foundation. The contest is hosted by the United States Department of Education. Special thanks to Hooray Purée, whose contribution supports the students’ stay in Washington, DC for the contest.

"Cooking from Our Hearts:" Culinary Students Prepare for Cooking up Change National Finals

In just a few days, teams of high school culinary students will bring their passion for cooking and their vision for healthy school food to Washington, D.C. for the Cooking up Change healthy cooking contest national finals. All of these students have won a qualifying competition in their home city with a stellar healthy school lunch they created on a tight budget and with limited ingredients. 

We're always honored to meet students with such creativity, talent and passion for creating healthy school food. Today, we're happy to share some of the students' own words on what they have learned so far from Cooking up Change and how they are looking ahead to the finals:

“We’ll keep cooking from our hearts and believing we can make it anywhere.”
     Sheanice, student chef, Chicago

“The competition changed my view of healthy foods because it has opened my eyes to explore new things.”
     Alismet, student chef, Denver

“I wanted the chance to be heard, to show people what we are capable of.”
     Ashley, student chef, Jacksonville

“It’s a blessing to know that my vocation for cooking will make a change in my community.”
     Alex, student chef, Santa Ana

“The healthier you are, the better. It’s important to stay healthy.”
     Courtney, student chef, St. Louis

“We all need energy, to be fit and to concentrate at school. Education is the number one thing—you need a nutritious meal to be able to focus.”
     Maria, student chef, Winston-Salem

Kudos to all the student chefs!

Plus: Check out video and hear personal stories from Cooking up Change alums here! 

Many thanks to the generous sponsors for Cooking up Change! The Cooking up Change National Healthy Cooking Contest is generously sponsored by Platinum Sponsor Chartwells School Dining Services; Silver Sponsors American Federation of Teachers, and T-Fal; Official Travel Partner Southwest Airlines; and Official Culinary Partner James Beard Foundation. The contest is hosted by the United States Department of Education. Special thanks to Hooray Purée, whose contribution supports the students’ stay in Washington, DC for the contest.

Health in Mind Spotlight: Applauding School Wellness Efforts with Colorado’s State-Wide Recognition Program

This week, HSC hosted a special event with Trust for America’s Health at the National Press Club to release our recommendations for improving education through wellness to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius. One of the most exciting parts of this event was the opportunity to hear first-hand from on-the-ground leaders who are putting some of these ideas into action in their schools and communitites. Now, we happy to share case studies spotlighting some of this exciting on-the-ground work!

Today's post features efforts in the state of Colorado, where education leaders are working to bring health and wellness into the school experience. At the briefing, Helayne Jones, President and CEO of the Colorado Legacy Foundation, shared her perspective and experience. This case study focuses specifically on a state-wide recognition program for school health and wellness. Stay posted for more case studies highlighting efforts to make wellness part of the school experience.

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by Kadesha Thomas, HSC writer and researcher

 One elementary school has its own garden and only serves meat from a local ranch. A middle school offers nearly an hour of physical education and 25 minutes of recess—every day. At a nearby high school, about 70 percent of students are involved in at least one of the school’s 14 athletic clubs, while another elementary school allows teachers and fifth grade students to square off in an annual softball competition.

This is just a snapshot of what is happening throughout the 178 school districts in the state of Colorado. Since 2010, schools have been invited each year to tout these and other health and wellness efforts during the state’s Healthy School Champions’ Recognition Program. The recognition program allows schools to submit a voluntary self-assessment, called the Healthy School Champions’ Score Card, detailing how they are supporting health and wellness for students, staff and the surrounding community.

Each year, nearly 200 schools submit information to the online assessment; in 2012, 32 were selected as Champions. The winning schools receive a banner to display in the school and a cash award between $500 and $5,000 in recognition of the good work. “When we look at which schools will be selected, we want to see that health and wellness is infused into the culture beyond just projects and one-time programs. We want to see that their philosophy has shifted to include health,” said Amy Dillon, Co-Director for Coordinated School Health at the Colorado Department of Education. “The school-level success stories from Champions demonstrate strong administrative support, robust health teams with linkages to the community and that the school prioritizes their efforts based on need.”

The program is a collaborative effort with partners, including the Colorado Department of Education, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Colorado Legacy Foundation, which serves as a critical friend and partner to the state Department of Education on education policy. Funding for the program comes from The Colorado Health Foundation, a local funder committed to making Colorado the healthiest state in the nation.  Though the recognition program attracts applicant schools from across the state’s diverse landscape—some schools are in districts with only 100 students total while others are in bustling urban centers—all schools need to demonstrate a commitment to the eight components of the coordinated school health model: health education, health services, school environment, nutrition services and education, physical education and activity, counseling and mental health services, staff wellness and involvement from the families and communities.

The larger goal is to address some of the state’s health challenges. About 20 percent of the state’s high school students reported being overweight or obese on the 2009 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey.

“This is an opportunity for schools to be incentivized, to see what their neighbors are doing and learn from policies and strategies on the ground that are highly  successful,” explained Stephanie Wasserman, MSPH, Director of Health and Wellness at the Colorado Legacy Foundation. “It serves as a promotional tool for schools to learn more about best practices. In the future, we hope that this becomes just a natural part of addressing school culture, students’ needs and improving academic outcomes.”

 

Advocates, National Leaders Gather for Presentation of Recommendations to Secretary Sebelius and Secretary Duncan

L-R: Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services; Rochelle Davis, President and CEO of Healthy Schools Campaign; Gail Christopher, Vice President of Program Strategy for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation; Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education; Jeff Levi, Executive Director, Trust for America’s Health

Yesterday, HSC hosted a special event with Trust for America’s Health at the National Press Club to release our recommendations for improving education through wellness to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius.

We were thrilled that such a remarkable group of national leaders came together for an event focused on the idea that healthy students are better prepared to learn. In addition to HSC’s Rochelle Davis and Jeff Levi of Trust for America’s Health, speakers included:

• Gail Christopher, Vice President for Programs, W.K. Kellogg Foundation
• Helayne Jones, President and CEO, Colorado Legacy Foundation
• Melinda Landau, Manager of Health and Family Support Programs, San Jose School District
• Allison Slade, Founder and Principal, Namaste Charter School
• Dennis Van Roekel, President, National Education Association
• Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers
• Stephanie Whyte, Chief Health Officer, Chicago Public Schools

The Health in Mind recommendations reflect a new approach to making health and wellness part of the school experience. We invite you to check out the executive summary and recommendations online. In the days ahead, we will share case studies illustrating these ideas in action.

Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan

Many thanks to the remarkable advocates and leaders who made the Health in Mind launch a success!

Plus: Check out press coverage of Health in Mind! Reuters, Education Week, NEA Today and AFT News published coverage and analysis of the recommendations and event.

Physical activity break at the Health in Mind recommendations release event

HSC and Trust for America's Health Present Recommendations to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius

HSC and Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) today released policy recommendations focused on supporting schools in addressing health and wellness in order to improve student learning and achievement. The recommendations were presented to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius.

“Healthy students are better prepared to learn and succeed in school,” said Rochelle Davis, HSC President and CEO. “An increasing body of research backs up this common-sense notion. This is especially critical in light of the vast health disparities that exist in our nation. Unless we address health and wellness in schools, our nation’s efforts to close the achievement gap will be compromised.”

The recommendations, Health in Mind, note that incorporating health and wellness into school culture and environment, student services and curricula can support student health, help close the achievement gap and ensure this generation does not become the first in American history to live shorter, less healthy lives than their parents.

Two years ago, the Affordable Care Act created the National Prevention and Health Promotion Council (NPC), which brought together 17 federal cabinet agencies and offices from across the government to address prevention.  The NPC released the National Prevention Strategy, which commits the entire federal government, not just the health agencies, to integrating health into their work.

“The Strategy and these recommendations represent a major culture shift in how the nation views health – health will no longer be separated from education, transportation, housing and other clearly connected policies,” said Jeff Levi, executive director of TFAH and Chair of the Advisory Group on Prevention, Health Promotion, and Integrative and Public Health. “Health in Mind’s focus on students and schools promises to have a long-term payoff by improving education and the quality of life for today’s kids as they grow up – they will do better in school and be healthier.”

Health in Mind focuses on several federal initiatives and policies that can broadly benefit the health, well-being and education of the nation’s students. Some of the recommendations include:

• Prepare principals and teachers to promote student health and wellness through professional development programs and in-service training that equips them to identify and address student health issues while creating classroom and school environments that support all students’ wellness.
• Provide schools with strategies to partner with parents as agents of change for integrating health and wellness into education.
• Incorporate health and wellness into school metrics and accountability systems to allow schools to make data-driven decisions about how health and wellness impact student learning.
• Incorporate health and wellness into recognition programs to motivate schools to adopt policies and practices that promote student health and wellness.
• Increase the Department of Education’s capacity to provide leadership and guidance on integrating health and wellness into schools as a way to improve academic performance.
• Reduce barriers that schools face when seeking reimbursement for health services delivered to Medicaid-eligible students, providing a level of funding that can increase access to health and prevention services, particularly through school nursing.
• Re-think the role schools can play in our nation’s prevention efforts and the ways that the Department of Health and Human Services can support schools in creating the conditions for health.

“Together, we can create the conditions for health and well-being in our nation’s schools,” said Gail Christopher, vice president – program strategy for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, a partner and funder of this work. “Implementing these recommendations can build on existing momentum and accomplish meaningful change that shapes children’s health and learning for a lifetime.”

At the presentation of recommendations, union leaders representing the nation’s teachers voiced support for prioritizing health in schools.

“The link between student health and student achievement is not theoretical—it is a fact.” said Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers. “Yes, there are many educational and academic issues that we need to address. But making schools better also means that we must create environments that provide steady support for health and good nutrition.”

“Our members work with students every day whose health and school conditions impede their ability to learn," said National Education Association President Dennis Van Roekel. "That’s why NEA members are taking the lead to advocate for school and learning conditions that result in a higher level of student engagement and fewer absences."

More than 70 organizations signed on to the Health in Mind vision statement also presented at the briefing.

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We invite you to learn more! Check out the executive summary and full recommendations online.

Milestones and New Initiatives in the Weeks Ahead!

This week, HSC is kicking off one of our busiest and most exciting months yet! The weeks ahead are filled with dynamic events and new opportunities built on work for healthy food and fitness in schools. We are excited to share these milestones and new initiatives!

Health in Mind: Improving Education through Wellness · May 9
We believe that healthy students are better prepared to learn and that schools must address health and wellness in order for all kids to achieve. On May 9, we will bring this message to national leaders as we present policy recommendations to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius at a special event in Washington, D.C. Our nation is facing a dual crisis: a growing achievement gap and children who for the first time in history may live shorter, less healthy lives than their parents.These recommendations focus on simple, common-sense steps initiated at the federal level that can help schools leverage the power of health and wellness to boost student achievement. Learn more about Health in Mind here.
* If you are interested in learning more about the event, please contact Alex Schaible by email or at 312-419-1810.

Congressional Briefing on Serving Food Raised without Antibiotics in School Lunch · May 10
The high school culinary students who placed first in HSC’s Cooking up Change Chicago healthy cooking contest wowed judges with a lunch featuring freshly-baked chicken drumsticks. That chicken was raised without antibiotics on Amish farms in nearby Indiana, like much of the chicken now on the menu in Chicago Public Schools. On May 10, the students will take part in a Congressional briefing on serving food raised without antibiotics in school lunch. That day, the lunch they created will be served for lunch in the U.S. House of Representatives cafeteria! Learn more here.
* Send a letter inviting your senators and representative to attend the briefing and try the students’  award-winning school lunch!

Parents United for Healthy Schools Annual Summit · May 17
The parent leaders of HSC’s Parents United for Healthy Schools/Padres Unidos para Escuelas Saludables will have much to celebrate and much work ahead as they gather for the sixth annual Parent Summit for Healthy Schools. This coalition, which brings together parents from Chicago’s Latino and African-American communities to speak up for school wellness as a way to address health disparities, has achieved new victories for children’s health. Parent-led wellness teams have initiated school-level changes across the city and successfully advocated for important district policies, including bringing recess and Breakfast in the Classroom to the city’s elementary schools. Parents are now looking ahead to supporting schools in making wellness a priority as the city transitions to a longer school day. Learn more about Parents United here.
* For live updates from the parent summit, follow HSC on Twitter and keep an eye out for #ParentsUnited on May 17.

Fit to Learn Graduation · May 18
Teachers who have completed HSC’s year-long Fit to Learn professional development program will celebrate their graduation at a special event bringing together principals and district leaders to share ideas and strategies for boosting wellness in schools. Fit to Learn focuses on practical approaches to making health and wellness a regular part of the classroom experience. Teachers gain the skills to fit healthy habits into daily learning—integrating nutrition education and fitness into classroom lessons that meet learning standards in math, reading, science, social studies, art and music. Learn more here.
* Bring healthy new ideas to your classroom! Check out activities and stories from Fit to Learn teachers on HSC’s blog.

Cooking up Change National Finals · May 21
Across the country, student chefs are cooking up change! These teams of high school culinary students have impressed judges and guests at local competitions and are now getting ready to compete in the national finals in Washington, D.C. Teams are challenged to create a healthy school meal that meets high nutrition standards on a tight budget and with limited ingredients. Teams from Chicago, Denver, Jacksonville, Santa Ana, St. Louis and Winston-Salem have secured their spots in the national finals. Which team will take home the trophy? Learn more here.
* Send your compliments to the chefs! Cheer on the teams with a tweet using #CookingupChange or a message on HSC’s Facebook page.

Cooking up Change Congressional Briefing · May 22
The day after the cooking contest, the student chefs will bring their healthy school meals to Congress! A student-designed lunch will be served in the U.S. House of Representatives cafeteria and at a Congressional briefing on the future of school food. At this briefing, the student chefs will share their experience and speak about why healthy school food matters. Learn more here.
* Send a letter inviting your senators and representative to attend the briefing and try the students’  award-winning school lunches!

Go for the Gold in Food and Fitness Celebration · May 30
At this celebration, we’ll recognize the second cadre of schools to meet the rigorous standards of the HealthierUS School Challenge through Go for the Gold, HSC’s partnership with Chicago Public Schools to support schools in meeting the high challenge’s high standards for healthy school food, physical activity and nutrition education. Through Go for the Gold, Chicago is answering First Lady Michelle Obama’s call to action! To date, 45 CPS schools have been recognized as HealthierUS Schools, an additional 30+ schools have submitted their applications, and dozens more are making changes. Learn more here.
* Check out the practical resources and tip sheets focused on physical activity, nutrition education and more from Go for the Gold!

We’re thrilled to share these exciting events! For updates throughout the month, check out HSC’s blog, Twitter and Facebook page!

Cooking up Change in Jacksonville

The student chefs of Jacksonville’s Frank H. Peterson Academy are one step closer to defending their Cooking up Change national championship title! We are happy to announce that culinary students Ashley Larramore, Phillip White, and Hannah Reese took first place in the Jacksonville contest and will represent their city in the national finals next month. The three high school student chefs looked to their friends and fellow classmates, last year’s Cooking up Change national winners for advice and it paid off! 

Cooking up Change Jacksonville winners Ashley Larramore, Hannah Reese and Phillip White

We talked to the three culinary talents, fresh off their win. They were still in shock, fighting back tears of joy and excitement. Ashley and Hannah competed in the Cooking up Change local contest last year, taking third place, and were happy to see their persistence and hard work pay off.  

The team wowed judges with a West African-inspired chicken imoyo wrap, Jollof rice, and West African succotash. Phillip said, “we went where no one else had gone.” Hannah explained that “we used simple ingredients that we take for granted every day here in the U.S. They are not always available in parts of Africa. So we wanted to raise awareness to that issue.”

Cooking up Change Jacksonville student-created meal

Their effort reinforces the Cooking up Change goal of elevating student voices and raising awareness of the value of healthy school food. Ashley enjoyed having her voice heard while demonstrating her talent. “I wanted the chance to be heard, to show people what we are capable of,” she said. 

Participating in the contest also changed the students’ view of healthy school food. Phillip said, “school food can be healthy and can taste good.” 

The team plans to practice their garnishing and presentation skills in preparation for the nationals in May. The Jacksonville team completes the roster of student chefs heading to Washington D.C. in May. They will join teams from Chicago, St. Louis, Denver, Santa Ana, and Winston-Salem.

We can’t wait to see them there! Learn about all of the teams on our blog. For more information about Cooking up Change, please visit www.CookingupChange.org. 

Webinar this Thursday: Improving Education through Wellness

We're thrilled to announce an exciting webinar that HSC is hosting this Thursday with Dr. Charles Basch, author of Healthier Students are Better Learners. You can check out the description below and register here.  Please join us for this thoughtful and dynamic discussion.

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Health in Mind: Improving Education through Wellness

March 29, 2012 · 12:00-1:00 PM central · Webinar

Research documents what parents and educators know: healthy students are better prepared to learn. How can we put this simple fact into action to boost achievement in our nation’s schools? This webinar will provide an overview of Health in Mind: Improving Education through Wellness, a new initiative from Healthy Schools Campaign and the Trust for America’s Health. Health in Mind encompasses specific, practical policy recommendations the nation can implement to make immediate improvements without significant expense. Speakers, including Dr. Charles Basch from Columbia Teachers College, will highlight the important role schools can play in disease prevention and health promotion and will discuss the connection between health and learning.

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HSC is hosting a series of webinars throughout the spring on issues related to school food and health in schools. Check out the links below to learn more and register.

A School Nurse in Every School: Addressing Barriers to Adequate Funding for School Nursing
April 9, 2012 · 11 AM - 12 PM central · Webinar
Learn more and register here »

Quiet Innovation for Healthy School Food
April 16, 2012 · 1-2 PM central · Webinar
Learn more and register here »

The Small Business Side of Improving School Food
May 1, 2012 · 1-2 PM central · Webinar
Learn more and register here »

We hope you'll join us!

Healthy Children, Healthy Planet: Why We Care About School Food

HSC recently hosted the second event in our School Food Webinar and Event Series. For our two-part panel discussion, Healthy Children, Healthy Planet, we partnered with PEW Charitable Trusts and Whole Foods Market to present a dynamic dialogue around innovation for school food in Chicago.

The event brought together experts and leaders in the movement to ensure that school food is good for our children and good for our planet.  So many moving parts work together to provide healthy school meals. The panel provided a look behind the scenes at the many systems -- from farming to transportation and small business markets -- shaping the food that we ultimately serve to children at school. 

Dr. Angela Odoms-Young of the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Applied Health Sciences discussed school nutrition recommendations from the Institute of Medicine, the science behind these recommendations and what they will mean for school food. 

Comfort Cakes entrepreneur Amy Hilliard shared her perspective as the entrepreneur of a small business that sells whole-grain pizza crust to Chicago Public Schools. The minority-owned company created CPS’ first whole-grain pizza crust, refining the recipe to make sure it appeals to students.

Amy Hilliard shares her experience creating a whole-grain pizza crust for school meals

Since getting involved in the school food market, she’s now expanded her business to provide healthy products to hospitals. She credited the school district with creating demand in the marketplace for healthier products and offerings.

Dr. Lance Price of TGen North Center for Metagenomics explained how antibiotic use in food production is a serious threat to public health that encourages the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. He discussed the public health impact of the recent Chicago Public Schools decision to procure chicken from a regional Amish farm where poultry is raised without the use of antibiotics. 

Dr. Lance Price addresses the audience 

Rich Wolff, regional meat coordinator for Whole Foods Market, discussed Whole Foods’ commitment to playing a role in changing how food is raised and discussed Whole Foods’ role in connecting the school district with regional Amish farmers who provide chicken raised without antibiotics.

Chicago Public Schools’ health and wellness promotions manager Annie Lionberger was on hand to discuss school health and wellness innovation, including the district’s recycling program to reduce waste around breakfast in the classroom.

 Annie Lionberger answers questions during the panel discussion

Many thanks to these insightful panelists and all the engaged audience members who took part in each discussion! 

If you’d like to learn more about school innovation, please join us for our upcoming webinars:

Quiet Innovation for Healthy School Food
April 16, 2012 · 1-2 PM central · Webinar
Learn more and register here»

The Small Business Side of Improving School Food
May 1, 2012 · 1-2 PM central · Webinar
Learn more and register here»

Did you miss our first webinar on school breakfast? Check out the archived session here.