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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The Houston County School system was introduced to the Healthy Schools Program during the Forum held in Little Rock, Arkansas during the summer of 2008. The district dietician served as the representative from the 37 schools in the county. After her experience at the Forum she selected seven schools to pilot the Healthy Schools Program and begin the transformation to a healthier school district.
Thomson Middle School was one of the schools invited to participate. With the support of Alesia Chadwick, parent involvement coordinator, who took charge of forming the wellness council at Thomson, changes started to happen. Chadwick worked to pull together a group that was representative of the school and included parents, teachers, administrators and community members. The first goal of the group was to assess the needs and desires of the employees. After distributing and analyzing the staff wellness interest survey they established that staff was most interested in an organized walking program
Many changes were made this year in the school meals program. They added a non-fried fish entrée at least once a week. They started serving a low fat, portion controlled dressing for the to-go salads and they switched to 1% or less milk products. The wellness council believes that the year was a “fast-paced learning process.” They believe they are now ready to hit the ground running when school resumes in August. They hope to incorporate more parent participation to encourage healthy lifestyles for the entire Thomson school family.
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