Spotlight - Governors Council on Physical Fitness and Sports

School In The Spotlight

Gold Country
Regional Award Winner

Hickman 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

Early in the 2008-2009 school year, Hickman Elementary School made a commitment to promote healthy eating on our school campus. Our school cafeteria made the commitment to provide free, fresh fruit during snack time to the entire student body on a daily basis. The cafeteria also provided healthy snacks and water during STAR testing and adding a salad and fruit bar to supplement student lunches. Soda and vending machines were taken away from student access. Newsletters with nutrition tips and information regarding healthy eating are sent home with students on a monthly basis. Included in health curriculum is the Just Taste program which encourages students to taste at least seventy fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Out of 291 students we had 200 students try 70 fruits, vegetables, & legumes. Classrooms and the school cafeteria participated in a program called Put a Rainbow on Your Plate which awarded certificates to students who kept a food journal that recorded their consumption of a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables. During the highlighted week of Put a Rainbow on Your Plate, the entire student body and staff dressed in a different color each day to represent the various fruits and vegetables. Hickman School received a garden grant to promote healthy eating and include students in the entire food production cycle. Each grade level has its own raised bed to coordinate a classroom gardening project. Recognizing that healthy eating goes beyond fruits and vegetables, the Dairy Council of California presented an assembly to detail the nutritional value of dairy foods and their place in a healthy diet. Additionally, the board has approved board policies with guidelines for healthy birthday and holiday parties and non-food rewards. The climate and culture of Hickman Elementary has been positively affected by our healthy eating changes.

Essay 2 - Support of Students’ Physical Activity and Fitness

Hickman Elementary School recognizes the importance of regular physical activity for all ages. Understanding that physical activity is important in and outside of school, staff members have adopted a personal commitment to model physical and nutritional health. They can regularly been seen participating in area 5K fun runs and other athletic events. Teachers use these experiences to supplement their health and PE classes. Using Weekend Activity Logs in which students keep track of team and individual activities teachers have noticed an increase of reported student physical activity. Within school activities, staff has implemented a Mileage Club. Three days a week students, staff, parents, and community members arrive thirty minutes early to participate in a one mile walk/run. As of May 28th participants have logged as much as 100,000 miles! Students that ran the most miles were given running shoes at our end of the year flag ceremony. Once a month, our school community (all staff, all students, & parents) complete a themed one mile run during lunch recess. Upon completion students receive a certificate and coordinated charm such as a shamrock for the Shamrock Shuffle, or a raindrop for the Raindrop Romp. Total miles for these runs are 4941 miles! The PTSA organized a jog-a-thon in which students jogged about 4 miles each. One of the year’s culminating activities is our Field Day in which classes compete in a variety of traditional and unique running races. We have many students that have improved their health as a result of the program. We have students that have lost 35, 20, 17, & 9 pounds. That by it’s self is amazing! As our school students tell us, “It is fun to play at Hickman School!”

Essay 3- Need For a New Fitness Center

“Let’s go run!” The students at Hickman Elementary don’t know it but they’re changing the culture of their school. They’ve brought parents, teachers, and grandparents to campus to share in becoming more physically fit. Based on this excitement and the consistent participation of our school community, winning the fitness center would help our community pursue our ongoing commitment to help change the lives of the people in the Hickman Community.. We are a small farming community of approximately 800 people. There are no activities for our community alone other than what we are able to provide through the school. The children and people of this community have to travel to other towns to be able to exercise with fitness equipment. Many families that live in our community are not able to participate in activities in other towns due to their economic status. Many do not have cars and would have to walk across the bridge to the next town. This fitness center would be monumental for the Hickman Community. It would be a way for children and adults to exercise, become healthy, and improve their lives.

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