Los Angeles
Regional Award Winner
Regional Award Winner
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Marvin Elementary submitted the following three essays for consideration of the Governor's Challenge Competition Grand Prize: Essay 1 - Commitment to Promoting Healthy Eating on Campus Our school is firmly committed to promoting healthy eating habits. We recognize that healthy eating is perhaps the most difficult component of health and fitness. Not only do we try to reverse bad eating habits but also strive to instill healthy-eating diets through various methods and programs. We noticed many of our students were bringing unhealthy snacks to school. We adopted a “No Junk Food Policy”, which is strictly enforced. All of our staff has worked diligently promoting nutritious eating on and off campus. We are part of the ‘Nutrition Network’ program through which chefs and farmers visit our classrooms and involve students in nutritional activities. Students also attend theatrical performances that promote healthy eating habits. Our students are exposed to various produce through the ‘Harvest of the Month” program in which teachers facilitate the preparation of a healthy dish for students to sample. The highlight of our health program is our annual ‘Nutrition Fair’. Here, students engage in fun games and physical activities, such as melon-eating contests and salad preparing competitions. The objectives are to foster good eating habits and students are rewarded with delicious smoothies and other healthy snacks. Parents are invited to workshops where dieticians present various methods promoting healthy eating habits and teach parents how to shop to make healthier food choices. A monthly newsletter provides ideas about ways to integrate healthy eating and physical activity into their family lives. We have found that healthy eating habits have positively impacted the lives of our students. Students are becoming more conscientious about healthy food choices in their daily lives. This foundation for healthy eating will put them on a path for continued success in achieving optimal health. Essay 2 - Support of Students’ Physical Activity and Fitness We take great pride in educating the whole student. Therefore, our pro-active commitment to our students’ physical activity and fitness is why we chose to participate in the Governor’s Fitness Challenge. Until a few years ago, our school yard was an empty asphalt ground. Since there are no parks in the area, we sought and obtained a grant from the Anne & Kirk Douglas Foundation and collectively with matching funds we now have two playgrounds. Tapping into our resources, the U.S. Tennis Association gives our students a “Taste of Tennis” by providing free racquets and tennis lessons with professionals to our after school program. As part of a District sponsored arts program our students enjoy physical activity through dance on a weekly basis. We participate in the American Heart Association “Jump Rope-for-Heart” program. In order to prepare our fifth graders for middle school, every morning they run, walk, and participate in strengthening activities culminating into a mini Olympic style ceremony with awards, medals and certificates. We encourage staff to use their initiative in promoting physical activity, character traits and healthy lifestyles for our students. Two teachers teach yoga across grade levels. Some teachers team up with students, playing kickball, basketball and other games, holding friendly as well as year-end competitions. Others enhance their PE programs with harmonious dance movements. We realize our role in promoting a healthy lifestyle at an early age. By the time they leave elementary schools, their habits have been already formed. Furthermore, we are constantly asking ourselves what we can do for a wonderful but disadvantaged community that has very little access to parks, walkways and recreational facilities that many take for granted. We are trying to do our part and the fitness center would have a positive impact on school wide academic achievement, self-esteem and school pride. Essay 3- Need For a New Fitness Center We, at Marvin Elementary, have a dream of enhancing our physical activities, nutritional awareness and overall health of our students. Our school is adjacent to the Interstate Freeway 10 with the school yard facing it literally within fifty yards. Gases and fumes persistently descend upon our young students, whose lungs are still developing and vulnerable, especially during physical activities. Approximately fifty percent of our students are overweight, with poor eating habits, living in areas without access to any recreational facilities. A fitness center would provide an accessible area where health and fitness concepts could come together in a fun and educational setting. When we launched the Governor's Challenge, we were surprised by the intensely positive reaction of everyone. We noticed students were more open to learning and parents begged us to continue with the program. Our families live in economically impacted areas with no walking paths, parks, pools or recreational facilities. We understood their plight. Our overall plan is to turn Marvin into a safe environment the community can turn to adopt a culture of good health, good nutrition and modern fitness concepts. We are already committed to our overall plan. Having banned all junk foods and soda machines, we advocate nutritious foods and beverages. We do 'Healthy Snacks' and ‘Second Breakfast' programs; participate in 'Nutrition Network', 'Dairy Council' and 'Jump-Rope-for-Heart', as well as a school-wide implementation of 'Too-Good-for-Drugs' and 'Second-Step' programs. A well-designed fitness center will be a great leap forward for us to meet the dire needs of this wonderful but economically deprived community. Combining physical fitness with our academic goals is the perfect combination. Choosing Marvin Elementary as the 2007 Governor’s Fitness Challenge Grand Prize Winner, is the right choice. Our school wants it, needs it and dreams of it. You can help make this dream come true. |
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