Six Public Schools Recognized for Promoting Healthy Habits Among Students, Faculty and Staff

MARION, SC – September 8, 2009 –  Six South Carolina public schools have received Healthy School awards for their efforts to promote healthy behaviors among students and staff, State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex announced today.

Healthy Schools Awards recognition is a joint effort of the South Carolina Department of Education and the Department of Health and Environmental Control. The award is given to schools that demonstrate a well-coordinated and collaborative team approach to improving student health and provide evidence of achieving best practices.
 
“These winning schools have demonstrated a commitment to developing and practicing healthy habits,” Rex said.  “Participants have changed eating habits, increased activity levels and involved their communities in creating and maintaining lifestyles – in many cases, impacting attitudes, changing behavior and improving student achievement.  I congratulate them and challenge other schools for ways to improve the health of their students and staffs.”

Clifdale Elementary School in Spartanburg District Three and Easterling Primary School in Marion District One each achieved status as an eight-component award winning school.  Holly Springs Elementary School in Pickens County met seven of eight components of the coordinated approach to school health. Both Cannons Elementary School in Spartanburg District Three and Castle Heights Middle School in York District Three met five of the eight components, and North Augusta Elementary School in Aiken County met three of the eight.

To be designated a Healthy School, schools must show a coordinated approach to improving student health and provide evidence of achieving best practices in at least one component of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Adolescent and School Health Eight-Component model of Coordinated School Health.  The components are: health and safety policies and environment; health education; physical education and physical activity; nutrition services; health services; guidance, psychological and social services; health promotion for staff; and family and community involvement.

Eight Component Winner
Clifdale Elementary School:  Spartanburg District Three
Jan Scott, Principal

Clifdale – a partner with local businesses, community organizations, a high school and a university – has developed and implemented healthy school initiatives.  The school has a walking club, and the PTA developed a track that is used by parents, community, students and staff.  A free after-school sports camp is offered to grades 3-5.  Foods are baked in the lunchroom, and the daily salad option is popular with students. Only bottled water is sold in the cafeteria, and teachers offer fruit slices and raw vegetables as snacks for classroom parties.  All staff members mentor at-risk students, and the school resource officer works with a group of fifth-grade lunch buddies. The school’s behavioral referrals dropped from 587 in 2007 to 266 in 2008.  Success celebrations to promote academic achievement have improved attendance and helped to decrease student tardiness and improve MAP testing. Increased attention to playground safety has decreased referrals for student injuries and emergency-related incidents.

Eight Component Winner
Easterling Primary School:  Marion District One
Angie Grice, Principal

Easterling Primary hired an additional physical education teacher, increased PE time and implemented “Focus to Learn” class packs designed to cross brain exercises and increase physical activity. Fried foods have been eliminated, and a food policy for parties and snacks has been established.  Taste testing allows students to explore different and healthier food choices, and parents and community members bring more healthy options for parties and snacks.  Through the Coordinated Approach to Child Health curriculum, teachers provide lessons on nutrition, healthy eating, weight management and physical activity.  Students read food labels and understand portion control, and 50 percent more students are ordering salads and staying active longer at recess.  The community is involved in healthy school initiatives, and community events and PTO meetings include at least one health, drug/tobacco, hygiene, nutrition or PE component. Community-based recreation is housed at the school, and the playground is open to the public after school.  The school prohibits tobacco on its property, in its vehicles and during events.

Seven Component Winner
Holly Springs Elementary School:  Pickens County School District
Donna Harden, Principal

A walking club allows students to arrive at school early to walk around the gym.  Students attend physical education class twice a week for 45 minutes and have a 20-30 minute recess daily.  Pedometers help them track their steps during the school year. All food is baked or steamed and is fresh or packaged. Students are not allowed to bring soda to school; their only drink options are low-fat milk, 100 percent fruit juice and water.  Since implementation of breakfast in the classroom, the number of students eating breakfast has increased. Each student gets a fresh fruit or 100 percent fruit juice with each morning meal. Academic performance has increased, while tardiness and absenteeism have decreased.  Students have better attitudes, and there is evidence of the ability to make healthier choices outside of the classroom.  Overall attendance and participation in all programs have increased, and student achievement continues to grow. 

Five Component Winner
Cannons Elementary School: Spartanburg District Three
Karen Grimm, Principal

A walking and running club is offered at Cannons Elementary each day for 20 minutes before school starts, and each school day starts with a short exercise video that gets students and staff moving.  Physical education has increased from 15 minutes to 20 minutes daily. The student reward system has changed from unhealthy candy treats to students now being rewarded with public recognition, small prizes or extra recess time. Teachers are rewarded with a mini spa instead of food, and water and 100% fruit juice have replaced traditional sugary drinks for celebrations. The school reports an increase in staff and student health related activities, healthier cafeteria and food from home choices, and a significant decrease in discipline office referrals. Cannons Elementary allows the community access and use of its walking trail after school hours.

Five Component Winner
Castle Heights Middle School: York County District Three
Kelly Kane, Principal

Various nutritional choices are offered in the cafeteria, and vending machines no longer contain items high in calories, fat and sugar. Student participation in physical education has increased, including aerobics, dance, sports, weight training and exercises.  An integrated approach combines physical activity and nutrition educat
ion with core subject areas.  Math skills are incorporated through safety education and compass activities, pedometers, heart rate monitors and percent body fat analyzers.  Students learn technology by keeping food journals and graphing their data according to calories, sugars and fats. Math lessons become a lesson on percentages of fat, carbohydrates and proteins in a teenager’s lunch, and writing assignments for the school newsletter revolve around healthy snack alternatives.  Students follow healthy recipes and make nutritious snacks, and science teachers focus on the affects of nutrition and healthy living.  Food prepared in home health classes is studied for nutritional values.   

Three Component Winner
North Augusta Elementary School:  Aiken School District
Dr. Angela Burkhalter, Principal

Physical education assessments were continued when budget constraints limited their funding. Physical activity as punishment for inappropriate behavior is restricted.  More than 80 students participate in the school’s Dophin Dash Running Club, arriving at school at 6:55 on Tuesday and Thursday mornings to run for 30 minutes and record the number of laps. Three other local elementary schools have established running clubs, and these clubs compete.  Physical fitness measures indicate students are in better shape now than at the beginning of the year and better than last years’ fifth-grade boys.  Fewer students are falling below minimum fitness than last year and even fewer than at the beginning of the school year. MAP testing showed increases in students reading and math, and the school was recognized as second runner-up in the state Title I Program for Closing the Achievement Gap.

Any public or private school serving grades K-12 is eligible to apply for Healthy School awards.  Winners receive banners and have the opportunity to participate in a DVD success story. For more information visit:  http://www.ed.sc.gov/healthyschools or http://www.dhec.sc.gov/health/chcdp/schools/index.htm.