Healthy Schools Campaign

Dollars and Cents: Making the Financial Case for Green Cleaning Webinar on Monday

Healthy Schools Campaign is hosting our Green Cleaning Webinar Series throughout the summer, a series of online seminars featuring national leaders and on-the-ground experts on green cleaning in schools! These concise and practical sessions, offered free of charge, can help you begin a green cleaning program or expand and enhance a program that is already underway at your school. Follow the links below to learn more and register!

Our fourth installment in the series, Dollars and Cents: Making the Financial Case for Green Cleaning will take place on Monday, August 1. 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:

• Steve Ashkin, The Ashkin Group LLC. Ashkin is president of The Ashkin Group, a consulting firm specializing in greening the cleaning industry, and executive director of the Green Cleaning Network. He is well known throughout the professional cleaning, education, healthcare, and building-management industries as the "Father of Green Cleaning." He has played a pivotal role in setting industry standards, promoting environmentally preferable products, and advocating for socially responsible practices. 

• Michael Jones, Columbia Public School District. As a winner of the Best New Program Award in the green cleaning awards, Michael has demonstrated how to start and build a successful green cleaning program. In two years, Columbia Public Schools have replaced all non-green products, reduced the number of products used from 33 to nine, and created more than 20 percent savings in key areas of the custodial services operational budget.

• Pat Pizzo, East Meadow Union Free School District. Pat is currently the Director of Facilities and Operations for the East Meadow School District. Since 2008, he has led a department of 117 people in supporting the goals of his district. His effective leadership with staff and has provided employees with guidance and direction for improved performance and efficiency. 

You can register for this informative and practical session here.

We look forward to sharing these expert insights and bringing you another exciting webinar!

This webinar is generously sponsored by Proctor & Gamble.

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Missed the previous webinars in the Green Cleaning Webinar Series? Check out the archived online conferences here.

Walk the Wellness Walk with Fit to Learn

Today, we are hosting Fit to Learn, a professional development program that provides teachers with the tools to incorporate health and wellness into the classroom experience.

Naturally, teachers, school nurses, and school staff serve as role models for students. They can also play a key role in promoting students wellness: their approach can further cultivate an environment that promotes healthy eating and fitness for children.

Additionally, health initiatives among staff members boost morale, increase productivity, and influence students to make better decisions that will lead to healthy, active lives. Healthy teachers and staff, like healthy students, are better prepared to bring energy and focus to the day.

Here are some ways teachers and school nurses can promote staff wellness:

• See if your school or district offers staff wellness resources or initiatives.
• Get active with your colleagues! Join together to organize after-school aerobics, walking clubs or yoga for staff. 
• Walk while you talk. Meeting with a few others? Try a “walking meeting” and discuss your ideas as you stroll.
• Recruit a local expert (perhaps that’s you!) to offer nutrition education classes to staff.
• Make sure your snacks are healthy, too. Make it a policy that food served in staff meetings or in the break room will be just as healthy as the nutritious snacks you’d want students to eat. 

Get more ideas that you can use to create a culture of wellness in your classroom and beyond by checking out our Healthy Classrooms, Healthy Schools guide [pdf] from Fit to Learn. 

You can also read the latest Fit to Learn news on our blog.

Ideas for Health & Wellness Contest! Tips for Healthy Celebrations

Classroom celebrations allow students the opportunity to be social, observe holidays, and receive special recognition. These parties have often included cake, pizza, cookies, and other tempting but unhealthy treats. Now, schools are moving to provide healthier celebration options!

This week, as part of our Ideas for Health & Wellness Contest, Healthy Schools Campaign asks:

How do you make your classroom celebrations fun without unhealthy foods?

Submissions close Sunday, July 31 at 11:59 p.m.

Remember, there are four ways to enter Healthy Schools Campaign's Ideas for Health & Wellness Contest:

Facebook. Like us on Facebook. When each week’s question is posted, respond to the question with a comment that shares your story, idea, and tips. (Please remember to share your ideas as a comment on each week’s post rather than as a general comment on HSC’s wall.)

 

Twitter. Follow @healthyschools. When each week’s question is posted, tweet with your idea with the tag #hscidea. There’s only 140 characters, so make ‘em count! (Submissions that do not include #hscidea will not be counted . . . we may not be able to find them!).

 

Blog. Each week, we’ll post a question on our blog. Share your story, idea, and tips in the comments section of that week’s post. 

 

 

Email. Send an email with your idea to [email protected] for that week's question. Put the question in the subject line.

 

We will randomly select a winner who will be contacted in respect to their submission. (Facebook winners will receive a message, Twitter winners will receive a DM, and blog commenters will receive an email). We’ll share stories and ideas from the contest in the coming weeks. All entrants will be recognized when their ideas are used.

Questions? Contact us.

Good luck! We look forward to hearing your ideas!

Ideas for Health & Wellness Contest! Tips for Healthy Fundraising

For years, some schools have sold candy, sweets, and other unhealthy snacks to raise money for school activities. With the rise in childhood obesity and increased interest in sending consistent messages about wellness at school, more and more school administrators are moving away from fundraising efforts that sell these products and are finding other ways to successfully raise funds. 

This week, Healthy Schools Campaign asks:

What are your ideas for successful school fundraisers that don’t rely on unhealthy food? 

Submissions close Sunday, July 24 at 11:59 p.m.

Remember, there are four ways to enter Healthy Schools Campaign Ideas for Health & Wellness Contest:

Facebook. Like us on Facebook. When each week’s question is posted, respond to the question with a comment that shares your story, idea, and tips. (Please remember to share your ideas as a comment on each week’s post rather than as a general comment on HSC’s wall.)

 

Twitter. Follow @healthyschools. When each week’s question is posted, tweet with your idea with the tag #hscidea. There’s only 140 characters, so make ‘em count! (Submissions that do not include #hscidea will not be counted . . . we may not be able to find them!).

 

Blog. Each week, we’ll post a question on our blog. Share your story, idea, and tips in the comments section of that week’s post. 

 

 

Email. Send an email with your idea to [email protected] for that week's question. Put the question in the subject line.

 

We will randomly select a winner who will be contacted in respect to their submission. (Facebook winners will receive a message, Twitter winners will receive a DM, and blog commenters will receive an email). We’ll share stories and ideas from the contest in the coming weeks. All entrants will be recognized when their ideas are used.

Questions? Contact us.

Good luck! We look forward to hearing your ideas!

Healthy Schools Campaign Wants Your Ideas: Ideas for Health & Wellness Contest!

Have you made a difference for wellness at your school? Do you have tips for healthy fundraising? Ever help implement physical activity or nutrition education activities? Well, we want to hear from you! You're invited to participate in HSC's Ideas for Health & Wellness contest. 

Your ideas will support schools in making healthy changes! Ideas shared in the contest will be featured in resources and publications to help schools across the country implement health and wellness programs. Plus, you can win cool gift cards and a wellness kit for your school!

Every Monday beginning July 18, we’ll post a question about ways everyone can make schools healthier. The contest opens Monday at 8 a.m. CST and will close Sunday, 11:59 p.m. CST of every week until August 14. 

We encourage you to enter in one of four ways:

Facebook. Like us on Facebook. When each week’s question is posted, respond to the question with a comment that shares your story, idea, and tips. (Please remember to share your ideas as a comment on each week’s post rather than as a general comment on HSC’s wall.)

 

Twitter. Follow @healthyschools. When each week’s question is posted, tweet with your idea with the tag #hscidea. There’s only 140 characters, so make ‘em count! (Submissions that do not include #hscidea will not be counted . . . we may not be able to find them!).

 

Blog. Each week, we’ll post a question on our blog. Share your story, idea, and tips in the comments section of that week’s post. 

 

 

Email. Send an email with your idea to [email protected] for that week's question. Put the question in the subject line.

 

We will randomly select a winner who will be contacted in respect to their submission. (Facebook winners will receive a message, Twitter winners will receive a DM, and blog commenters will receive an email). We’ll share stories and ideas from the contest in the coming weeks. All entrants will be recognized when their ideas are used.

Questions? Contact us.

Good luck! We look forward to hearing your ideas. Be sure to check back on Monday for the first question!

**UPDATE**

Week One: What are your ideas for successful school fundraisers that don’t rely on unhealthy food?[CLOSED]

Week Two: How do you make your classroom celebrations fun without unhealthy foods? [CLOSED]

Week Three: How do you make messages about healthy eating part of the classroom? [CLOSED]

Week Four: How do you incorporate physical activity into the classroom? [deadline Sunday, August 14 11:59 P.M.]

New Technology and Green Cleaning Next Monday!

Healthy Schools Campaign is hosting its Green Cleaning Webinar Series throughout the summer, a series of online seminars featuring national leaders and on-the-ground experts on green cleaning in schools! These concise and practical sessions, offered free of charge, can help you begin a green cleaning program or expand and enhance a program that is already underway at your school. Follow the links below to learn more and register!

Our third webinar in the series, New Technology and Green Cleaning, will take place on Monday, July 18. Building engineers and content experts will discuss the latest and greatest technology in green cleaning and review the 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, The Ashkin Group LLC

Stephen P. Ashkin is president of The Ashkin Group, a consulting firm specializing in greening the cleaning industry, and executive director of the Green Cleaning Network. He is well known throughout the professional cleaning, education, healthcare, and building-management industries as the "Father of Green Cleaning." He has played a pivotal role in setting industry standards, promoting environmentally preferable products, and advocating for socially responsible practices. 

Andi Lee-Marnicio, Blackhawk Intermediate School

Andi Lee-Marnicio is Head Custodian at Blackhawk Intermediate School, an elementary school encompassing grades 3 – 5 at Blackhawk School District in Beaver Falls, PA. She has 17 years of experience in this field; 15 of those have been as head custodian at Blackhawk Intermediate School. Andi’s green cleaning efforts have also been recognized by several local newspapers and the Facility Management Association.

Gene Woodard, University of Washington

Gene Woodard has been the director of custodial services at the University of Washington, Seattle, for 25 years and is currently the director of the building services division at the University of Washington, which includes custodial services and recycling and solid waste programs. Gene is also a national speaker on custodial and leadership topics and has written several articles for EHT, a publication of IEHA.

You can register for this informative webinar here.

Once again, we are honored to gain insight from industry leaders and look forward to sharing this exciting webinar with you!

This webinar is generously sponsored by Advanced Vapor Technologies.

Check out our live Twitter updates during the webinar series, using #greenclean2011. Follow @healthyschools for updates on green cleaning and healthy school environments.

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Plus: Did you miss our previous green cleaning webinars? Visit our archive page to see June’s Learn from the Leaders and Green Cleaning and Infection Control sessions.

P.S. Be sure to check out our Green Clean Schools National Summit September 13 in Washington D.C.

Announcing the 2011 Green Clean Schools National Summit!

 
Concerned about healthy and clean schools for students and staff? Concerned about the environment? Want to be part of a national movement to promote green cleaning in schools? You're invited to join us at the 2011 Green Clean Schools National Summit!

September 13, 2011, 8:15 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Service Employees International Union
1800 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC

View the full agenda »

Register for the summit »

The summit will bring together national organizations, corporate leaders, state activists and concerned individuals to discuss key strategies -- from state policy to school-level communications and more -- to bring health-promoting green cleaning practices to more schools.

Summit attendees will hear from representatives of national school stakeholder groups, learn about successful communication efforts, discuss responses to common objections and get updates on policy and product development. Most importantly, the summit will provide the opportunity for local activists, school stakeholders and national organizations to make connections and develop strategies to help more schools go green. To view the full agenda, click here.

Please join us in building on national momentum to ensure that all children benefit from health-promoting green cleaning in schools. Learn more and register here!

Many thanks to our generous sponsors: American Federation of Teachers and ISSA - The World Wide Cleaning Industry Association.

Plus! Be sure to check out HSC's Green Cleaning Webinar series, taking place throughout summer 2011!

Green Cleaning and Infection Control Webinar on Monday

Last week, we kicked off our Green Cleaning 2011 Webinars, a series of online seminars featuring national leaders and on-the-ground experts on green cleaning in schools. These concise and practical sessions, offered free of charge, can help you begin a green cleaning program or expand and enhance a program that is already underway at your school.

 
Monday, June 27 will mark our second webinar in the series, Green Cleaning and Infection Control. Building engineers and infection control experts will discuss strategies for controlling the spread of germs while maintaining a healthy school environment. 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 the Salt Lake City School District. Brewer has 33 years experience with the Salt Lake City School District. Mr. Brewer has been key in building the custodial department’s green cleaning program, for which the Salt Lake City School District received Honorable Mention in the 2010 Green Cleaning Awards for Schools and Universities.
• Donna Duberg of Saint Louis University. Duberg is an assistant professor of clinical laboratory science at Saint Louis University. She has been lauded as a credible media source both nationally and in St. Louis, where she makes recurring appearances as the “St. Louis Germ Expert” on local newscasts.
• Deb Stafford of Green Chimneys School. Deb Stafford began her tenure with Green Chimneys in 2000. After attaining a degree in psychology, she was promoted to Director of Housekeeping in 2007 and is currently leading Green Chimney’s Green Cleaning Initiative. Deb chairs the school’s Environment of Care Committee and G.E.T. Green Team.  She also represents the school’s involvement in the EPA WasteWise Partnership. 

You can register for this informative webinar here.

Once again, we are honored to gain insight from industry leaders and look forward to sharing this exciting webinar with you!

This webinar is generously sponsored by Tork.

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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.

Spotlight on Parent Wellness Leader Lettie Hudson

by Brittany Wright

At the Parents United for Health Schools parent summit last month, we met several phenomenal people who are passionate about health and wellness in the schools. Lettie Hudson is an eight-year parent volunteer at Barton Elementary, which was recognized at the summit for its outstanding new school wellness team.

Ms. Hudson added her thoughts on the breakfast in the classroom program that recently came to Barton. “It’s been well received with the students," she said. "My son wants to make sure that he’s on time every day so that he can get this breakfast. Breakfast is important to get children started, to give them energy to run around.”

Thanks to Ms. Hudson for sharing her insight as a parent advocate!

How does the wellness team work at your school? How do parents work with the school to promote wellness?

The parents work in conjunction with the local school council and the administration to implement new programs. Fitness and wellness are major concerns here. They also brought back recess. The kids also enjoy healthy lunches, in addition to the breakfasts.

How would you encourage other parents to get involved?

I encourage other parents by inviting them to local school council meetings. Just in general, talking to friends and networking, trying to make improvements for the benefit of our children.

As a parent, how do you bring health and wellness initiatives and nutrition education into your home?

Well, I work out every day. I recently made the decision to eliminate a lot of foods that I knew were bad for me and incorporated healthier choices into my home.

Why is Parents United for Healthy Schools important to you?

It’s important to me most of all because I have a son who will be ten years old in June. It’s good that I start him off with healthy choices and show him how to select foods that are good for him. That way he has a better chance of not getting things that are hereditary in my family: diabetes, high blood pressure and those type of things.

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Kudos to Ms. Hudson for making health and wellness a priority at home and at school!

Plus! Be sure to check out our Facebook page for photos from the summit!

Learn from the Leaders Green Cleaning Webinar Next Week!

Last week, we announced our Green Cleaning Webinar Series, a series of online seminars featuring national leaders and on-the-ground experts on green cleaning in schools! These concise and practical sessions, offered free of charge, can help you begin a green cleaning program or expand and enhance a program that is already underway at your school.

Wednesday, June 15 marks our first webinar in ther series, Learn from the Leader. Winners from the 2010 Green Clean Awards 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.

Speakers include:

• Michael Jones, Columbia Public School District. As a winner of the Best New Program Award in the green cleaning awards, Michael has demonstrated how to start and build a successful green cleaning program. In two years, Columbia Public Schools have replaced all non-green products, reduced the number of products used from 33 to nine, and created more than 20 percent savings in key areas of the custodial services operational budget.
• Pat Pizzo, East Meadow Union Free School District. Pat is currently the Director of Facilities and Operations for the East Meadow School District. Since 2008, he has led a department of 117 people in supporting the goals of his district. His effective leadership with staff and has provided employees with guidance and direction for improved performance and efficiency. 
• Kimberly Thomas, University of Georgia Physical Plant. As Assistant Director, Kimberly is second-in-charge of a $17 million operational budget for the PPD Services Department budget, manages nearly 375 staff and is responsible for maintaining over 9.7 million square feet of resident instruction space at UGA. In addition, she coordinates professional development, disciplinary, and new-hire training programs and developed a management leadership series for supervisors and staff employees within the UGA Physical Plant.

You can register for this informative and practical session here.

We are honored to gain insight from these industry leaders and look forward to sharing this exciting webinar with you!

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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.

Benny the Bull Shoots for Food & Fitness at the Go for the Gold Celebration

Yesterday, Chicago Public Schools and Healthy Schools Campaign, with the USDA Midwest and the Illinois State Board of Education, recognized 19 schools that met the HealthierUS School Challenge at the Go for the Gold Celebration.The event featured a powerful award ceremony with remarks by Tim English, Deputy Regional Administrator for USDA Food and Nutrition Service Midwest Region; Dr. Vinni Hall, Illinois State Board of Education Secretary; and Jean-Claude Brizard, Chicago Public Schools CEO.

After the ceremony, DePaul's DIBS, USDA's Power Panther, Staley the Chicago Bears mascot, and Benny the Bull of the Chicago Bulls made an appearance to congratulate the many students in attendance! 

Although the Chicago Bulls are not heading to the championship, Benny the Bull is a champion for health and wellness! Check out Benny the Bull shooting for food and fitness in honor of the Go for the Gold celebration! Be sure to look at DIBS' reaction at the end.

 

Congratulations to the schools leading the way in increasing awareness for healthy food, nutrition education, and physical activity! We look forward to congratulating more schools as they meet this impressive challenge.

 

Chicago Public School principals accept awards at the Go for the Gold celebration

Announcing the Summer 2011 Green Cleaning Webinar Series!

HSC is thrilled to announce our summer 2011 Green Cleaning Webinars, a series of online seminars featuring national leaders and on-the-ground experts on green cleaning in schools! These concise and practical sessions, offered free of charge, can help you begin a green cleaning program or expand and enhance a program that is already underway at your school. Follow the links below to learn more and register!

Learn from the Leaders
June 15, 2011

Winners from the 2010 Green Clean Awards 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.

Speakers: Michael Jones of the Columbia Public School District; Pat Pizzo of East Meadow Union Free School District; and Kimberly Thomas of the University of Georgia Physical Plant

 

 

Green Cleaning and Infection Control
June 27, 2011

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

Speakers: Mervin Brewer of the Salt Lake City School District; Donna Duberg, Assistant Professor of Clinical Laboratory Science at Saint Louis University; and Deb Stafford of Green Chimneys School

Sponsored by:

 

 

New Technology and Green Cleaning
July 18, 2011

Building engineers and content experts will discuss the latest and greatest technology in green cleaning and review the 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: Steve Ashkin of The Ashkin Group LLC; Gene Woodard of the University of Washington; and a representative of a K-12 school.

 

 

The Dollars and Cents: Making the Financial Case for Green Cleaning
August 1, 2011

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: Steve Ashkin of The Ashkin Group LLC; Michael Jones of Columbia Public School District; and Pat Pizzo of the East Union School District

Sponsored by:

 

 

Process Cleaning for Healthy Schools
August 15, 2011

Healthier cleaning processes in schools are good for workers, students and staff; they also make a difference for attendance and the long-term bottom line. But how do you implement a healthy cleaning program in a time of immediate budget crisis? Speakers will address effective strategies and practical tips.

Speakers: Rex Morrison, Housekeeping Training Coordinator for the Washoe County School District; and Allen Rathey, president of InstructionLink/JanTrain, Inc.

Sponsored by:

 

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.

Parent Wellness Leader Lilliana Hernandez Promotes Fitness at Parent Summit

Healthy Schools Campaign sat down with Lilliana Hernandez, a parent wellness leader from Eli Whitney School. For five years, she has championed fitness and promoted exercise. In fact, she even led the mini aerobics session during the Parents United for Healthy School parent summit earlier this month!

She describes the biggest obstacle in promoting health initiatives was building relationships. She overcame this obstacle by working with fellow parents, who she describes as the “the strength” of the wellness teams. 

How do you motivate the parents to get involved with Parents United?

I make calls; I go out and bring them in. I try to explain why wellness is important as it relates to the children. 

What difference has nutrition education made in your home?

The biggest difference is that we all know how to eat well and be well. I’m teaching my family that having a better life through healthy foods and active lifestyles will make them better learners. I also see differences in their self esteem and how they carry themselves.

We are so grateful to Lilliana Hernandez for sharing her perspective on an active lifestyle and Parents United for Healthy Schools! 

Plus! Don't forget to head over to our Facebook page to see more photos from the parent summit! 

Fifth Annual Parent Summit: A Celebration of Five Years of Health and Wellness Successes

By Austin Sears, HSC Communications Intern

On May 18, I had the opportunity to attend the fifth annual Parents United for Healthy Schools Parent Summit. Other than the HSC staff and myself, more than 200 parents representing wellness teams from all across the city of Chicago attended this exciting event.

Parents look on as the Target/ACF Ensemble performs.

The morning started with a soulful performance by the Target/ACF Ensemble, which set a positive tone for the rest of the summit. Standing in the auditorium, you could feel the energy generated by passionate people united for a common good: improving the health and wellness of children.

Rochelle Davis, president and CEO of Healthy Schools Campaign, welcomed the group of outstanding parent wellness teams with warm words of appreciation. Jesse Ruiz, vice president-elect of the Chicago Board of Education, approached the podium and talked about the importance of the work Parents United has done. Ruiz mentioned that “we need to support" Parents United in their efforts because they “know what their communities and families need.” Jesse Ruiz was then presented with over 5,000 signed petitions in favor of Breakfast in the Classroom, Chicago Public Schools's new program to bring breakfast to all elementary students in the distict.

Jesse Ruiz is presented with over 5,000 petitions in favor of Breakfast in the Classroom.

While the focus of the event was on the parents, we also honored two students who exhibited leadership in employing wellness strategies and asked them each to share their stories. We recognized nine outstanding new school wellness teams and thanked seven Chicago school wellness teams for their ongoing efforts and recognized them as wellness heroes.

Parents from Perez School accept their Wellness Hero award. 

Mary Richardson-Lowry was recognized as a School Wellness Champion for her commitment to student wellness during her tenure as president of the Chicago Board of Education. The occasion also highlighted the successes of the Go for the Gold campaign and encouraged wellness teams not already involved to join in helping schools meet the HealthierUS School Challenge, the program that First Lady Michelle Obama is urging schools to take on.

Mary Richardson-Lowry (center) accepts her Wellness Champion Award.

Everyone was encouraged to get up and move in an exercise activity led by the parents from Eli Whitney School. The activity showed that a few minutes of physical activity can be fun while also elevating the heart rate to stay healthy The day came to a close with dancing and a lively performance by Son Del Viento, a Chicago-based Latin band.
 

Parents from Eli Whitney School encourage audience participation in their exercise activity.

This event was significant in that it recognized the achievements of parents across the city of Chicago in advocating for healthy food and physical activity in schools over the past five years. More than 1,000 parents are now actively involved with Parents United and are dedicated to changing the future of school food and fitness for their children.

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to attend such a powerful event! The stories told by parents and students alike were inspiring. I can't wait to see what other positive changes come about because of the work that Parents United does!

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Plus! To check out one parent's story of supporting Calamenca School's success in establishing recess as part of the school day, click here!

Go Behind the Scenes of Cooking up Change 2011!

On Monday, six teams of high school students from across the country came together in Washingon, DC for the national finals of the Cooking up Change healthy cooking contest. (To read more about the contest and the winning meals, check out our recent post!) Now, we invite you to go behind the scenes of the cooking contest and meet a few of the amazing student chefs in this video:

 

Plus: Read more about the student teams here!

Congratulations to the Cooking up Change National Healthy Cooking Contest Winners!

Jacksonville student chefs prepare tastes of their healthy school lunch for the judges.

Congratulations to Alexus Baldwin, Leoniqua Jackson and Denver Singletary, the high school student chefs from Jacksonville, Florida who won the grand prize in the Cooking up Change National healthy cooking contest yesterday!

Winning student team with Cooking up Change national honorary co-chairs Christie Vilsack and Karen Duncan.

The contest challenges teams of high school students studying culinary arts to create a healthy, great-tasting school meal with only six steps of preparation, ingredients commonly available to school food service and many of the other constraints that school nutrition professionals face.

The Jacksonville team – Alexus Baldwin, Leoniqua Jackson, and Denver Singletary – served Caribbean-inspired beef rib salad with Moroccan rice and sweet potato corn bread muffin.

Congratulations as well to the honorable mention winners!

The Chicago team – Gerardo Garcia, Ruby Gutierrez, and Claudia Ramirez – received an honorable mention for excellent side dish with their soup of sunshine, a unique blend of fruits and vege'tables.

The Winston-Salem team – Isaac Barham, Hayden Cramer, and Corrine Hertz – received an honorable mention for excellence in display. The team was recognized for preparing a meal that is as visually appealing as it is healthy.

The national finals brought together six teams of young chefs from across the nation. Five cities -- Chicago, Denver, Jacksonville, St. Louis and Winston-Salem -- hosted Cooking up Change qualifying contests. Teams from those cities won first place in their local competition. A team from Washington, DC won an online qualifying contest that was open to students nationwide.

The contest took place at USDA headquarters in Washington, DC.

"We are so proud of the students who competed in Cooking up Change for their efforts to change the future of school food," said Rochelle Davis, President and CEO of Healthy Schools Campaign.

Congratulations to all the student chefs and many thanks to everyone who made Cooking up Change possible!

Student chefs arrive at the USDA headquarters.

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The Cooking up Change National Healthy Cooking Contest is generously sponsored by Platinum Sponsor Chartwells School Dining Services; Gold Sponsors Applegate Farms and Dannon; and Official Travel Partner Southwest Airlines. The contest is generously supported by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and hosted by the USDA.

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Plus: Invite your legislators to lunch!  Today, the student chefs will take part in a Capitol Hill briefing on the future of school food. A school lunch designed by students will also be served in the House of Representatives cafeteria! Click here to send a letter inviting your legislators to attend the briefing on Capitol Hill, try the student-designed meal in their own cafeteria and support action that would help bring proper kitchen equipment and training to more schools!

 

Cooking up Change National Finals Today!

Today, six teams of high school culinary students are gathering in Washington, DC for the Cooking up Change national finals!

High school students from across the U.S. whisked, chopped and sautéed their way to the finals by winning a qualifying contest in their own city or online.

Five cities hosted local Cooking up Change qualifying contests: Chicago, Denver, Jacksonville, St. Louis, and Winston-Salem. Teams in other cities entered an online qualifying contest which challenged students to present their meal through photos and recipes. The winners of this online contest come from Washington, DC.

Now, we invite you to meet the teams who will face off at the national finals!

Chicago Students: Gerardo Garcia, Ruby Gutierrez and Claudia Ramirez Menu: Afro-Caribe Plancha, Soup of Sunshine and Caribbean Crunch Salad Read more »

Denver Students: Brenda Alcocer, Azucena Hernandez and Edna Mendez Rodriguez Menu: Parmesan herb crusted chicken with creamy pesto spaghetti and a green apple stuffed tomato Read more »

Jacksonville Students: Alexus Baldwin, Leoniqua Jackson and Denver Singletary Menu: Caribbean-inspired beef rib salad with Moroccan rice and a sweet potato corn bread muffin Read more »

St. Louis Students: DeShaun Isaiah and LaMore Wise Menu: Upside-down taco salad, Mexican rice and fruit parfait with vanilla yogurt Read more »

Washington, DC Students: Jazmine Black, Dominque Mitchell, Victor Rogers Menu: Chicken with orange rice, veggie stir fry and graham apple crisp Read more »

Winston-Salem Students: Corrine Hertz, Hayden Cramer and Isaac Barham Menu: Pulled chicken BBQ sandwich, baked sweet potato fries and a yogurt-fruit parfait Read more »

Congratulations and good luck to all the student chefs!

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Plus: Invite your legislators to lunch!  Tomorrow, the student chefs will take part in a Capitol Hill briefing on the future of school food. A school lunch designed by students will also be served in the House of Representatives cafeteria! Click here to send a letter inviting your legislators to attend the briefing on Capitol Hill, try the student-designed meal in their own cafeteria and support action that would help bring proper kitchen equipment and training to more schools!

Rahm Emanuel on School Wellness: How Will Chicago’s New Mayor Shape Policy for Healthy Eating and Physical Activity?

Today, Chicagoans had a new mayor sworn in for the first time in 22 years as Rahm Emanuel takes on the role that Richard M. Daley held since before the city’s schoolchildren were born. For those children, this historic transition and the new mayor’s policies have the potential to shape their school experience -- including school food, nutrition education, recess and opportunities for physical activity. In Chicago, the mayor plays a particularly close role in shaping the school system. Incoming mayor Emanuel is appointing a new leadership team for Chicago Public Schools: a new CEO and senior staff and a new Board of Education.

We invite you to view HSC’s policy recommendations [pdf] for the new mayor and the city’s education leaders.

During the mayoral campaign, Rahm Emanuel answered several questions from HSC about his priorities related to health disparities, healthy eating, physical activity, recess, First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move initiative and green schools. Now, we invite you to view his comments on these issues:

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Question: Studies consistently document the powerful connection between health and academic achievement. Healthy, active and well-nourished students are more likely to attend school and be engaged and prepared to learn, yet many students come to school with one or more health problems that compromise their readiness to learn. Health problems like obesity and asthma disproportionately affect the educational opportunities and outcomes of minority youth. In Chicago, 86 percent of the district’s more than 400,000 pupils are low-income students of color. As our next mayor, what will you do to prioritize and improve the health of the district’s students and address health disparities? What role will the school district and our city’s 675 schools play in improving the health of Chicago’s young people?

Answer: As Mayor, I will task the next CEO of Chicago Public Schools with evaluating the performance of all CPS contractors, including foods vendors. I will work with the next CEO to identify the best provider of school lunches that are both nutritious and flavorful. Also, as part of my plan to keep kids off street corners after school, I would require that after school programs offer a "third meal," in the form of a snack or hot meal. These extra meals would be paid for using federal funding.

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Question: Michelle Obama, a proud graduate of the Chicago Public Schools, has launched Let’s Move, a campaign to reverse the crisis of childhood obesity and improve the health of this country’s young people. Mrs. Obama is calling upon cities and schools to create opportunities for children to eat healthful food, learn about healthy eating and be active. As our next mayor, what will you do to address the problem of childhood obesity? How will you support efforts that are currently underway in the Chicago Public Schools to improve the school food and fitness environment?

Answer: As Chief of Staff to President Obama, I saw firsthand the inspiration and passion the First Lady brought to fighting childhood obesity. By expanding access to healthy food and providing opportunities for daily exercise, we can begin to address this crisis. Too often, recess is the first program cut by schools operating on tight budgets with a shortened day.

I have already outlined my commitment to lengthening the school day and expanding access to athletic programs. I will work with the teachers' union to lengthen the learning day and school year because it's the right investment in our children. I have also outlined a detailed plan to expand afterschool programming to all CPS students who want it. It will be comprehensive: Five days a week, two-and-a-half hours a day with opportunities in the arts, academics and athletics.

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Question: Research shows that school facilities have a major impact on students’ ability to learn and teachers’ ability to teach. Many of Chicago’s school buildings need significant upgrades or repairs, for issues ranging from inadequate lighting or poor acoustics to unhealthy indoor air or even general disrepair. At the same time, Chicago Public Schools has taken on the practice of ensuring that new school facilities are built to meet health-promoting environmental standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council. As our next mayor, what will you do make sure that school facilities support student health and achievement, and will you continue the practice of requiring that newly constructed school buildings meet environmental standards?

Answer: Adequate school facilities are essential to keeping students motivated and in the classroom. As Mayor, I will continue the practice of requiring that newly constructed buildings meet the appropriate environmental standards. I will also task the next CEO of Chicago Public Schools with evaluating the performance of all CPS contractors, including those responsible for school facilities.

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With a new mayor, a new CEO of Chicago Public Schools and a new Board of Education, the city-wide dialogue on education includes several issues -- such as the possibility of extending the school day -- that have a direct impact on school wellness. In the weeks ahead, we will continue to share updates on this transition. HSC will continue to advocate for healthy eating and physical activity in Chicago schools; we look forward to working with the city’s leadership to ensure that the city’s schoolchildren have school environments that support their health.

Dr. Charles Basch Discusses Health and Education Disparities

On April 6, 2011, Healthy Schools Campaign and the Office of Minority Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services convened a citywide forum on strategies to address health disparities and support student wellness and learning. At the forum, more than 400 attendees heard about the latest research on the impact of health disparities on student achievement and learned what education leaders at the local and national level are doing to address these disparities and support student success. 

This forum was a cornerstone of Heroes for Healthy Schools, the series of events that HSC co-hosted with the Office of Minority Health and Chicago Public Schools for National Minority Health Month. You can learn more about Heroes for Healthy Schools here. 

In the weeks ahead, we will spotlight the remarkable speakers who shared their perspectives on health disparities and education at the forum. Today, we are featuring Dr. Charles Basch, Richard March Hoe Professor of Health Education at Columbia University Teachers College.  

You may also view video of all the speakers' remarks, download the presentations they shared at forum, and see relevant research on HSC’s website. 

 

Dr. Charles Basch, Richard March Hoe Professor of Health Education at Columbia University Teachers College, discussed the ways that health disparities have an impact on education and the role schools can play in addressing health disparities. 

He pointed out that health disparities and wellness have been largely overlooked in efforts to improve student success and learning. If health problems compromise students’ motivation and ability to learn, he said, educational efforts such as teacher preparation, financing, and curriculum are jeopardized.

Dr. Basch outlined seven educationally relevant disparities:

• One in five youth have vision problems.
• Asthma, the most common chronic disease, affects 14 percent or 9.9 million youth under 18 years of age.
• Teen pregnancy will affect one in three teens in their lifetime.
• Aggression and violence affects children at all levels; 28 percent of children are bullied at school and 35 percent have been in a fight in the last year.
• Two out of three children don’t get enough physical activity.
• Twenty percent of children skip breakfast on any given day. 
• ADHD affects 4.6 million school-aged youth. 

Dr. Basch pointed out that these factors disproportionally affect minority communities. He encouraged forum attendees to make a difference by working together. He said, 

“The single most effective approach is to address these disproportional issues collectively.” 

You can learn more and see the full presentation in the video above and can download Dr. Basch’s slides here [pdf].

Plus! Check out this recent post on HSC’s blog about Dr. Basch’s work and his latest report, "Healthier Students Are Better Learners: A Missing Link in School Reforms to Close the Achievement Gap."

Through Your Lens: Student Photographer Shares Her Story at Exhibit Opening

Samantha, a high school student photographer from Washington D.C., attended the opening of the Through Your Lens photo exhibit on Capitol Hill yesterday. There, she shared her photo "Rustic Atmosphere."

When asked about the A/C unit featured in the photo, Samantha explained, 

"We often have to turn off the air conditioning unit to hear the biology teacher speak. We have to turn it off so that we can actually learn."

Watch the video below to hear Samantha's story and learn more about her school environment. 

 

What do you see at your school? 

Plus! Are you on Twitter? Join the conversation and let us know what you think about these powerful images and stories. Use #tyl2011.

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Through Yout Lens is a collaboration of the 21st Century School Fund, Critical Exposure, and Healthy Schools Campaign to raise awareness of the need for school buildings that support learning and provide a safe healthy environment for students and teachers. 

We encourage you to view the Through Your Lens exhibit on display in the Rotunda of the Russell Senate Building on Capitol Hill through Friday, May 13. You can also see the virtual gallery by visiting www.ThroughYourLens.org.