Alliance for a Healthier Generation supports BPS nutrition efforts

Our friends at the Alliance for a Healthier Generation just sent this letter to members of the Boston City Council. We are so grateful for their support and for their wonderful work combating childhood obesity:

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation would like to acknowledge the tremendous efforts put forward by Boston Public Schools to support the health and well-being of its students and staff. The Alliance for a Healthier Generation was founded by the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation in 2005. The Alliance’s goal is to reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity by 2015 by fostering an environment that helps all kids pursue healthy and active lifestyles. Boston Public Schools has participated in our Healthy Schools Program since 2007 and has worked diligently to establish healthy schools as the norm and not the exception. 

Since joining the program, numerous schools in Boston have worked on assessing and improving in the areas of health education, competitive foods and beverages, school meals, staff wellness, before and afterschool programs, physical education and activity, and policy and systems. Innovative ideas and programs from Boston Public Schools (BPS) have inspired other schools across the country and served as a model for building school/community partnerships, increasing the quality of health education, finding time for more physical activity in a limited school day and getting high school students to participate in a school breakfast program. Success stories from Boston schools have been showcased in our national newsletter more than ten times.

Seven schools from BPS have received a National Recognition Award from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. The National Recognition Award is an honor given nationally to showcase and acknowledge schools that have implemented changes in order to create healthier school environments. To earn an award, schools must meet best practice criteria established by the Healthy Schools Program Expert Panel and outlined in the Healthy Schools Program Framework.

Please feel free to reach out if you have questions about the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, the Healthy Schools Program or the progress of Boston Public Schools in the program.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Ginny Ehrlich, Executive Director
Alliance for a Healthier Generation

Boston Public School students answer the call for help

With the support of BPS staff, Boston Public School students are aiding Japan through various fundraisers. Below are some of the activities that have taken place and will take place in the future. BPS applauds the schools’ efforts and support.

• The Ohrenberger and Beethoven schools in West Roxbury held a “uniform free day” on Wednesday, March 16. Students were allowed to wear street clothes, rather than uniforms, once they made a donation to the American Red Cross. Last year, these two schools raised more than $5,000 for relief efforts in Haiti.
• Students at the Eliot K-8 School in the North End are collecting spare change through April 1, and will send donations to the Red Cross.
• Students at Snowden International School in the Back Bay are designing t-shirts and ribbons, with proceeds from the sale to go to the Red Cross.
• Timothy Nagaoka, a BPS foreign language teacher currently teaching Japanese, worked with students to make a thousand paper cranes at Bradley Elementary School, Taylor Elementary School, Dearborn Middle School, and Timilty Middle School. The Japanese Consulate in Boston also worked with students to dedicate the paper cranes to earthquake and tsunami victims.
• The Lee Academy Pilot School in Dorchester will host a representative from the Japanese Consulate for a “Japanese Awareness Day” on March 25.
• At Greater Egleston, staff made announcements regarding the status of Japan. The school also plans to raise money.
• The Hennigan School raffled four class parties. Students were able to buy raffle tickets to win: a pool party, a movie party, an ice cream party, and a pizza party
• On Friday March 18, 2011 Curtis Guild Elementary hosted “hats for Japan.” Students and Teachers wore silly hats and brought in donations to support students in Japan.
• The Quincy Elementary sold fruit smoothies during lunch. The fundraiser was a direct school-to-school effort, with money going directly to the Sendai school district.
• The Red Cross Club at Boston Latin Academy will be teaming up with local community agencies to support the victims of Japan.
• The Sarah Greenwood has planned four spirit days to raise money for Japan. There will be one spirit day per week for the next four weeks. To participate and be excused from uniform, students will pay $1 per day. The school has also planned a hat day, pajama day, wacky day, and favorite sport team day. The school hopes to raise at least $1000 for Japan, which will be sent to the Red Cross.
• The "La Fe Club" at Kennedy Academy is carrying out a "Spare a Dollar Campaign" for two weeks to help the victims in Japan. The fundraiser will be from March 21 - March 31. The "La Fe Club" is a group of high school students committed to educate their peers about social issues affecting teenagers. The group is also committed to help people in need. The funds collected will be donated to the Red Cross.

Monument High’s “Wellness Warriors” Encourage Healthy Eating and Physical Activity

On March 1, Monument High’s “wellness warriors” were recognized for their leadership in promoting a healthy lifestyle.The group was formed through the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, an in school nutrition and physical activity program launched by the National Dairy Council and the National Football League.

The morning activities were filled with speakers and a fun physical activity. James Arena-DeRosa from USDA Food and Nutrition Service and child nutrition expert and dietitian Elizabeth Ward spoke to the audience about the importance of establishing healthy eating and living habits. In addition, the “wellness warriors” talked about their efforts to improve lunches and breakfasts with the help of the student body. Currently, they are looking to purchase a salad bar with the $3,000 program grant they were awarded. After assembly, students played a game of flag football against members of the school staff and Brandon McGowan, safety for the New England Patriots.

BPS congratulates Monument High for all of its great work.

To learn more about the Fuel Up to Play 60 program check out: www.fueluptoplay60.com