Tuscarawas Central Catholic Elementary School recently received the Bronze Award given by the HealthierUS School Challenge, a voluntary school nutrition and wellness initiative established by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. The USDA believes that schools can take a leadership role in helping students learn, at an earlier age, to make healthier eating and lifestyle changes.
Its not a simple task to earn a HealthierUS School Challenge award, explained Linda Krupa, Healthy Tusc School Action Team coordinator. On behalf of the Healthy Tusc Taskforce and Fit Youth Initiative, we congratulate TCCES staff for going above and beyond in their school wellness efforts to achieve this special recognition.
TCCES staff began working toward this award in December 2011 and submitted its final application in March 2012. To qualify for one of four award categories, TCCES needed to meet criteria set forth by the USDA including the following: nutrition guidelines for specific components of school lunches, structured physical education classes as well as additional opportunities for unstructured physical activity provided by the physical education teacher and nutrition education offered by classroom teachers. TCCES also had to furnish a copy of its School Wellness Policy for review.
TCCES chose to apply for the Bronze Award and has received $500, an award plaque issued by the USDA, a banner for display in the school and a certificate signed by first lady Michelle Obama. The school also receives national recognition on the USDA Team Nutrition website.
I am so proud of Ms. Jane Egler, physical education teacher and Mrs. Sheila Sherwood, cafeteria manager, stated Teresa Layton, school principal. They worked very hard this past year to meet the requirements of this award. Our teachers have also been very supportive and we together recognize the importance of promoting healthy lifestyles for our students. It is a key ingredient in helping achieve academic success.
Wellness Week has been offered as an opportunity for added physical activity for all students and staff since 2011. The first week of each month, students gather each morning before school with Egler for a variety of fun physical and motivational activities. A healthy snack is provided following the activity in the gymnasium. Egler has also worked with teachers to provide resources for nutrition teaching in the classroom during Wellness Week.
In order to meet stricter school lunch requirements for the award, Sherwood introduced new fruits and vegetables as well as dried beans and legume offerings to the menus. Whole grain foods are also included on the menu regularly and guidelines for how often dark green and orange fruits and vegetables must be offered are also set.
TCCES has more recently been working with the Healthy Tusc Taskforce to further enhance the schools physical activity offerings, improve nutrition behaviors of students and staff and work toward developing policy and/or environment changes. The school received a $1,000 grant through Healthy Tusc to purchase pedometers, which are utilized by every student.
TCCES is committed to providing its students with a healthier school environment, which will in turn support their health and academic achievement. Everyone at TCCES is very proud of having received its HealthierUS School Challenge award.
