Healthy Schools

3rd Annual Healthy Schools Innovation Award Ceremony

On May 19, 2010 the 3rd Annual Healthy Schools Innovation Awards Ceremony was held at the Bain Center in Columbia. County Executive Ulman and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sydney Cousin joined Dr. Peter Beilenson to recognize the 39 schools that entered their programs in the areas of Physical Activity, Nutrition, Mental Health, Environmental Health and Safety.

Ten schools - 5 elementary and 5 middle--took top honors in each category.

Video vignettes of each of the winning programs may be viewed by clicking HERE.

The 2010 Event Program which lists each school that applied and gives a description of their programs may be found by clicking HERE.

In April 2007, Howard County launched the Healthy Howard Initiative, a six-phase initiative that encourages institutions including restaurants, schools, workplaces, and recreation programs to incorporate healthy activities and healthy products into the lives of County residents. Healthy Howard is strengthened by participation and collaboration with the public and private sectors.

Recognizing that schools are an integral part of our children’s development as well as an invaluable asset to parents and the community, Healthy Schools was developed to recognize schools that have displayed extraordinary commitment in the areas of Nutrition, Physical Activity, Mental Health, Safety and Environmental Health. In May 2008, twelve elementary schools (11 public and 1 private) were recognized as Healthy Schools, three of which were awarded innovation awards. This is the second year of the Healthy Schools Innovation Award.

How is the Healthy School status earned?

o Schools are nominated by principals, teachers, parents, PTA Council, or community members

o Schools should assemble key staff members to work on the application, e.g. GT Resource Staff; Cluster Nurses; Physical Education Staff; Counselors, etc.

o Schools submit the “Innovation Award” application accompanied with an essay and two letters of support describing how the program is innovative and what impact the program has made on the school community

o Schools must submit the Healthy Schools checklist which points to specific HCPSS policies and procedures that are put in place to build healthier, safer school environment, and a strong foundation of education for students

o A school’s program must address at least one of the Healthy Schools categories of: 1) Nutrition; 2) Physical Activity/Health; 3) Mental Health; 4) Safety; or 5.)Environmental Health

o A school’s program must be sustainable and replicable

o The Awards Committee will also take into account partnerships fostered by the program between the school system and other entities in Howard County (e.g. local businesses, non-profit organizations)

How are Healthy Schools and Innovation Award winners selected?

o An Awards Committee comprised of parents, teachers, community members, and health and nutrition professionals will review all applications and select awardees in each category

o All applicants and award winners will be announced at the Healthy Schools Ceremony, to be scheduled.

For a list of Healthy Schools Resources click here.

To view HCPSS policies and procedures, please visit: http://www.hcpss.org/board/policies/policies_9000.shtml

Elementary and Middle Schools Honored This Year

Howard County Health Department bestowed five elementary schools and five middle schools with awards for innovation in health, nutrition, physical activity, mental health, safety and environmental health.

The contest included entries from private and parochial schools, as well as public institutions. Many of the entries are programs created and run by students who are anxious to create a healthier school and environment in which to live and learn! Click here to read descriptions of the 2009 school programs.

Meet the 2009 Healthy Elementary School Winners & Honorees

• Gorman Crossing Elementary **WINNER** “Family Fitness Program” (FFP)
• Atholton Elementary School “Are you fitter than an Atholton Panther?”
• Centennial Lane Elementary School **WINNER** “Wellness Snack Pilot Program” (WSPP)
• Cradlerock Elementary School “Motion Monday”
• Deep Run Elementary School
  • Click here to watch the "Triple F Club."
• Elkridge Elementary School “Edible Garden Project”
• Guilford Elementary School “Operation Frontline”
• Hammond Elementary School “Finding Your Spark”
• Lisbon Elementary School **WINNER**
  • Click here to watch "Students for Safe Schools"
• Manor Woods Elementary School
• Phelps Luck Elementary School Field Day
• Pointers Run Elementary School “Recess Activities & Behavior Expectations”
• St. John’s Lane Elementary School **WINNER** “Mind & Muscles” (or “M&M”)
• West Friendship Elementary School **WINNER** “Waste-Free Lunches Challenge”
• Worthington Elementary School
  
  

• Burleigh Manor Middle School “Safe-To-School” program
• Elkridge Landing Middle School **WINNER**
  • Click here to watch a video on Elkridge Landing Middle School's program.
• Glenelg Country School “The Maryland Youth Partners in Change” program (MYPIC)
• Glenwood Middle School **WINNER**
  Click here to watch a video on Glenwood Middle School's program.
• Hammond Middle School **WINNER**
• Harper’s Choice Middle School **WINNER** “Food for Focus,” “High School Mentoring Program,” “Lunch Bunch,” “Dress for Success”
• Lime Kiln Middle School “What Moves U?”
• Mayfield Woods Middle School “Wellness in the Woods.”
• Patapsco Middle School
• Wilde Lake Middle School **WINNER** The Physical Wellness Intramural program
  
  

• Thunder Hill Elementary School (Fit ‘N’ Fun Night)
• Hollifield Station Elementary School (Recess Before Lunch and Therapeutic Yoga for Teachers)
• Bellows Spring Elementary School (Chasing Cheetahs)
• St. Augustine School (Fit Club and Character Counts!)
• Guilford Elementary School (Turkey Trot 1-mi Run, Miler Club, Fitness Focus; Bigs in School, Omega Psi Phi Mentoring Program)
• St. John’s Lane Elementary School (Walking Wednesdays, Turkey Trot Fun Run/Walk)
• Manor Woods Elementary School (Recess Walking Program)
• Pointers Run Elementary School (Dance Dance Revolution)
• Hammond Elementary School (Indoor/Outdoor Recess Fun Day)
• Clemens Crossing Elementary School (Pumpkin Run/Walk)
• Rockburn Elementary School (Safety & Health Expo)
• Bushy Park Elementary School (Riparian Forest Buffer)

The 2008 Innovation Award Winners are:

Nutrition and Mental Health:
Hollifield Station—Recess Before Lunch and Therapeutic Yoga for Teachers

Physical Activity:
Guilford—Turkey Trot 1-mi Run, Miler Club, Fitness Focus

Safety/Environmental Health:
Rockburn—Safety & Health Expo