Mission, Texas- Mission Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) schools not only continue to be recognized as being among the Healthiest Schools in America by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, but many of the schools have also improved upon their ratings.
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation is an organization founded by the American Heart Association and the 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.”
Schools can earn awards at the bronze, silver, or gold level, based on their standards they achieve. Each Mission CISD school has earned at least a bronze award, with several improving upon their previous accolade. Awards earned in 2018 are: Alton Elementary School, silver; Bryan Elementary School, silver; Cantu Elementary School, silver; Waitz Elementary School, silver; Escobar/Rios Elementary School, silver; Midkiff Elementary School, silver; K. White Jr. High School, silver; Leal Elementary School, silver; Mims Elementary School, silver; Salinas Elementary School, silver; Alton Memorial Jr. High School, bronze; Mission High School, bronze; Mission Jr. High School, bronze; O’Grady Elementary School, bronze; Pearson Elementary School, bronze; R. Cantu Jr. High School, bronze; Veterans Memorial High School, bronze. These schools are among only 461 to earn national recognitions this year. One third of the schools earning silver awards this year are from Mission CISD.
Four other Mission CISD schools earned national recognitions last year and hold on to those distinctions for two years. Marcell Elementary School earned a gold award. Captain J. Castro Elementary School, Cavazos Elementary School, and Mission Collegiate High School each earned silver awards in 2017.
“I am very proud that our schools have not only been able to maintain their high standards with the Alliance, but in so many cases, have improved upon where they started in 2016,” said Martina Carrillo, coordinator for Physical Education and Health. “This requires a major shift in how we approach many things, including changing the mindsets of students, parents, and staff.”
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.
Any school in the country can join the Alliance’s Healthy Schools Program at no cost. More information about the Alliance for a Healthier Generation is available online at, www.healthiergeneration.org.
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