McClure, Harriet Thompson and Arthur H. Smith elementary schools — all from the Grandview School district — recently won national awards for improving the health of their students.
The awards were administered by the HealthierUS School Challenge, a voluntary certification initiative for schools participating in the National School Lunch Program.
Since 2011, 159 Washington schools have won an award. The awards are based on how the schools:
- Improve the nutritional quality of the foods served.
- Provide students with nutrition education.
- Provide students with physical education and opportunities for physical activity.
“It’s important to make sure our students are healthy,” said State Superintendent Randy Dorn. “Healthy kids are better prepared to learn. I applaud these schools for the good work they’ve done and are committed to continue doing.”
Four levels of awards are given: bronze, silver, gold and gold of distinction, with increasingly stringent criteria for each level. Each award comes with a plaque and banner to display, and a monetary prize: $500 for bronze; $1,000 for silver $1000; $1,500 for gold; and $2,000 for gold of distinction. Schools receiving a HUSSC award commit to meeting the criteria throughout their four-year certification period. This year’s awards are valid through May 2018.
Washington’s winners each won a silver-level award.
