Renaissance Elementary School

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Fairburn, Georgia

GA_Renaissance

For Darrell Luckett, chair of the Renaissance school wellness council, “Strategic planning was the key to having a successful program.” By implementing steps one at a time they have been able to experience a true “renaissance” of healthy school activities for their students and staff to enjoy.

The biggest change at Renaissance has been the staff intramural program which started in the fall of 2007 and has continued to grow in popularity and options. In under a year, the program grew from offering three intramural sports (volleyball, basketball and Frisbee golf) to ten different sports and physical activities that rotate throughout the year. In order to reach as many participants as possible the wellness council added less strenuous activities and individual activities such as a walking club and aerobics. They partnered with Weight Watchers and held meetings at the school with an aerobics class after the weekly meeting. This spring they hosted the first “Biggest Loser” contest.

Last year the wellness council began to explore the idea of becoming a sugar-free school environment. The wellness council worked with food service staff and other key players to remove sugar from the school meals program as well as the vending machines. They have replaced unhealthy snacks and beverages with healthier alternatives.

In November, they decided to start an afterschool intramural program for students. The wellness council wanted to give students an “avenue to learn basic athletic skills.” They hope that with more volunteers they can continue and expand the program next year.

 

 

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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