Mission, Texas- All schools in Mission Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) are being recognized as being among the 328 Healthiest Schools in America by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, an organization founded by the American Heart Association and Clinton Foundation, working to empower kids to develop lifelong, healthy habits.
To earn awards, the schools had to meet or exceed stringent standards set by the Alliance’s Healthy Schools Program for serving healthier meals and snacks, getting students moving more, offering high-quality physical and health education, and empowering school leaders to become healthy role models.
“Healthy schools are better schools-it’s that simple,” said Dr. Howell Wechsler, CEO of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. “Research tells us students who attend healthy schools perform better academically, have better attendance, and their behavior improves.”
Mission CISD is one of only five participating school districts in the country to have every eligible school in the district receive a 2016 National Healthy Schools Award. Schools can earn awards at the bronze, silver, or gold level, based on their standards they achieve. Each Mission CISD school earned a bronze award, with the exception of one. Alton Elementary School earned an award at the silver level.
“I am very proud of what our schools have been able to accomplish in only the second year of working with the Alliance,” said Dr. Ricardo Lopez, Mission CISD superintendent. “This has required a major shift in how we approach many things, including changing mindsets of students, parents, and staff. It is exciting to me knowing that more of our schools are shooting for higher levels of achievement this next year because it helps build a healthier community as a whole.”
According to the Alliance, award-winning schools are serving as best-in-class examples of a nationwide movement to create healthier environments for kids. All recognized schools:
- Meet or exceed updated federal nutrition standards for school meals, which include increased fruits and vegetables, whole grain-rich items, and meals lower in saturated fat.
- Offer school breakfast to their students every day
- Meet or exceed snack and beverage requirements for the federal Smart Snacks in Schools standards
- Implement district wellness policies and report progress annually
- Provide students with at least 60 minutes of physical education per week and ensure activity throughout the school day
Representatives from Alton Elementary School and the district will be recognized during a national summit held by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation in Washington, DC at no cost to the district. The district will also participate in one of the summit sessions regarding the implementation of health and nutrition policies using tools from the Alliance.
More information about the Healthiest Schools in American Awards, is available online at, https://www.healthiergeneration.org/news__events/2016/08/29/1607/328_schools_named_the_2016_healthiest_schools_in_america.
Any school in the country can join the Alliance’s Healthy Schools Program at no cost. More information about the Alliance is available online at, www.healthiergeneration.org.
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