Gold Country
Regional Award Winner
Regional Award Winner
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Hazel Strauch 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 Hazel Strauch Elementary has realized that healthy eating has to start as early as possible which means with us. This year, we have changed many things about the way our kids eat. Junk food, soda and candy have been banned at recess and lunch. Our first recess is called, “Healthy Snack Recess.” All students are allowed to snack, as long as it is healthy; nuts, fruit, veggies and more. Parties during the year have focused on veggie trays, cheese trays and fruit combos. Our cafeteria has switched to more fruits and vegetables and less on fast food type meals. Testing snacks focused on veggies. We totally removed the soda machine from student access and replaced it with a fruit juice and water only machine. Fundraisers have included fruit snacks, water, trail mix, healthy cookies and pressured cooked chicken (instead of fried). It is common now to hear kids request a water bottle, which they drink all during the day. In our garden this year students lined up for cherry tomatoes as treats at recess. Before we started the challenge, we took a survey on health knowledge. Listed are before and after responses. 1) Tried a new fruit or vegetable: 56/241. 2) Physically active during recess: 125/627!! 3) Consider physical activity an important part of their educations: 154/520 (many others) Students began to compost which made them aware of healthy choices and mulching possibilities to benefit their garden. Mr. Hannemann is on our district’s wellness committee working to provide low fat breakfast and lunch items, no sugar cereals, and healthier snacks. Teachers monitor student lunches and discuss healthier choices with their parents. Staff continues to encourage students to eat healthy here and at home. Buddy classes promote healthy eating by sharing healthy tips! Essay 2 - Support of Students’ Physical Activity and Fitness Our entire staff and school promoted our 100% participation during our Governor’s Challenge. Teachers used music during lessons to promote more activity. Dance testing parties were held every month to honor those who improved on district tests. All recesses were deemed “Full Activity Days,” with Mr. Hannemann announcing it. Our yard duty staff kept this up during lunch recess. Ms. Dana, a lunch monitor, started a lunch jogging club. A total of 200 students completed at least 20 laps (over 400 attempted the goal.) 100% of our students participated in our Jog-A-Thon fund raiser. Absent students were assigned a 4/5th grade activity buddy to exercise with when they returned. Sacramento State loaned us student teachers to help many classrooms take advantage of extra PE time. Our school has square time for those who do not complete assignments or who might have behavior problems in class. This year, all square time students jumped rope and ran in place while on the square. Friday Walking Club started with 827 miles logged. Over 60% of our students and staff walked. We averaged over 30 miles every Friday with 3rd graders averaging 7.5 miles per week. Students play baseball, soccer, kickball and more more often this year. Many lessons including Ca Healthy Kids, Camp Eatawella, and California Grown were implemented as health oriented lessons. Staff trained in Archery in the Schools program as a way to include more students in physical activities. Role models of teachers and staff encouraged an after school jogging club. Our cafeteria is open after school for physical activities. These changes all greatly impacted the well being of our students. Even after the challenge, students have worked to improve their overall health. Essay 3- Need For a New Fitness Center In the 1970’s, kids played outside more than inside. This is not the norm for kids in 2007. Electronics have taken the place of healthy outdoor fun. Due in part to this, obesity has sky-rocketed. Strauch serves a lower socio-economic population where physical fitness and health are not always a priority in their lives. Gym memberships cannot be afforded. Many times in fact, some cultural beliefs are that the heavier the child, the wealthier their family. Sadly, we have lost 3 parents this year before they turned 40. This crisis has to be turned around sooner, not later. A fitness center would help us turn these kids around. Students leave us to attend charter schools who can financially provide more. This center would attract our families to stay. Total parental and staff support ensure that our fitness center will be used to its fullest extent. Exercise clubs will be held in our center and staff and students will be able to work out at school. Our new fitness center would offer us an incredible amount of excitement toward our healthy lifestyle programs. Many of our latch key kids lead sedentary home lives. Our fitness center will encourage them to stay at school and work out. Karate, ballet and basketball occur in our crowded cafeteria. Its small size will not accommodate days when all 627 students must remain indoors. Our implementation of Archery in the schools has stalled because we lack a place to set up and store the equipment. Making changes now, will improve a generation of adults. Habits are formed early, using our fitness center will form the life-long habit of exercising. Children are our future and this center is a needed growth opportunity for our family oriented school. |
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