 Madison
Heights Elementary was the 2006 recipient of the Governor's Gold
Award for their outstanding performance on the Nutritional and
Physical Activity Scorecard. Governor
Kaine traveled to Amherst, Virginia to personally bestow the award,
visit with students and faculty – and, of course, have
a healthy meal in the school cafeteria.
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April 27, 2006
Governor Kaine Announces Healthy Virginians Awards
for Ten Schools
– Madison Heights Elementary in Amherst County and
Agnor-Hurt Elementary in Albemarle County Earn Gold Awards –
LYNCHBURG – Governor Timothy M. Kaine presented
the Governor’s
Gold Award for Best Practices in Nutrition and Physical Activity to Madison
Heights Elementary School in Amherst County in recognition of the school’s
success in promoting good health and nutrition. Governor Kaine also congratulated
Agnor-Hurt Elementary School in Albemarle County for earning the Gold
Award in November 2005, and eight schools for earning either Bronze or
Silver Awards.
“Good health and student achievement go hand in hand,” said
Governor Kaine. “Schools that emphasize healthy activity
and good nutrition increase the likelihood of academic success, and they
also help us battle childhood obesity and disease.”
Governor Kaine presented a Gold Award banner and a resolution to Madison
Heights Elementary School Principal Darlene Mack and congratulated the
school for promoting healthy foods, drinks, and snacks and encouraging
regular physical activity during and outside of the school day. Following
the presentation, students demonstrated some of the activities that helped
their school win the award. Governor Kaine then ate lunch with the students
in the cafeteria.
Agnor-Hurt and Madison Heights are the second and third schools honored
with the Healthy Virginians Gold Award for outstanding programs promoting
wellness. The first Gold Award was earned last June by Mantua Elementary
School in Fairfax County.
Governor Kaine today also announced Silver Healthy Virginians Awards
for Hamilton Elementary School in Loudoun County and Marstellar Middle
School in Prince William County, and Bronze Awards for Hillside Elementary
School and Round Hill Elementary School in Loudoun County, Westridge
Elementary School in Prince William County, and Brownsville Elementary
School, Red Hill Elementary School, and Virginia L. Murray Elementary
School in Albemarle County.
The Governor’s
Nutrition and Physical Activity Awards Program is part of
the Healthy Virginians initiative and is designed to encourage policies
and practices that promote good nutrition and regular physical activity. Since
the initiative was launched last year, more than 300 schools have participated
in the awards program. So far, 15 schools have earned awards.
Schools participate in the Healthy Virginians initiative by recording
data and information pertaining to nutrition and physical activity on
an interactive online scorecard. Schools earn points based on their implementation
of best practices such as the integration of health and physical education
concepts across the curriculum, providing adequate time for physical
education and recess, encouraging the participation of students and families
in healthy activities, and offering meals and food items that are low-fat
and meet nutritional standards. After receiving feedback from the scorecard,
schools are able to adjust or change their policies and practices and
re-submit data.
The best practices measured by the scorecard are based on the recommendations
of national and state organizations, including the Joint Committee of
the Board of Education and Board of Health and Virginia Action for Healthy
Kids.
Recognizing the important role schools can play in combating problems
associated with poor nutrition and inactivity in children, Congress adopted
a provision requiring school divisions to establish local wellness policies
by the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year. These local wellness policies
must address nutrition education, physical activity, and other school-based
activities that promote student wellness. Schools that have implemented
the nutrition and physical activity standards addressed in the Governor’s
Nutrition and Physical Activity Award Program scorecard are well on their
way to meeting Congress’ local wellness policy requirement.
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