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The Healthy Schools Builder® is an easy online tool that helps schools identify their status as a healthy school and to develop customized action plans to make positive and healthy changes. Any school that enrolls in the Healthy Schools Builder® and completes the Builder inventory can apply for the National Recognition Award.

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Gainesville, Florida

A partnership formed between students enrolled in the University of Florida’s graduate and undergraduate dietetics programs and Gainesville High School students, administrators, faculty and staff provided the perfect opportunity to assess the high school’s environment and to implement changes to create a healthier school. The partnership resulted in improvements in each of the eight content areas of the Healthy Schools Program and helped them satisfy the requirements for the Bronze recognition award.

The team used the Healthy Schools Inventory as the foundation for the needs assessment they conducted at the school. They also gathered input from Gainesville students, faculty and staff as well as members of the School Board of Alachua County and the Alachua County School Food Service department. Based on the thorough assessment they identified potential intervention strategies for each area and divided into five teams (Policy/Systems, School Meals, Health Education, Physical Education/Activity and Employee Wellness), with a UF graduate student taking the lead of each team. Each team was responsible for developing and implementing strategies to meet the HSP criteria, as well as developing a budget and securing financial support as necessary.

With such an organized and qualified team in place the school saw rapid changes in their environment. The Policy/Systems team expanded the wellness council, changed their fundraising policies and improved the aesthetics of the cafeteria. The School Meals team developed and delivered trainings on reducing fat and sodium for food service staff. The Physical Activity team added before and afterschool fitness programs, as well as a safe walking/biking to school program. Many more changes have also been realized, thanks to this unique school/community collaborative effort.

 

 

As a recipient of the  Healthy Schools Program National Recognition Award, this school reached an important benchmark in improving the learning and working environments of students and staff. By making significant changes in the areas of healthy eating, physical activity and staff wellness, this school has joined a growing movement of committed individuals and organizations that are working to combat childhood obesity and foster healthier communities. View all 2008-09 recognized schools >>

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