Illinois schools developing healthier environments through nutrition and physical activity
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126 schools certified in USDA’s HealthierUS School Challenge this school year
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SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois State Board of Education announced Monday that 126 schools across the state have met federal standards that recognize healthy environments through promotion of nutrition and physical activity. The schools are among more than 200 in the Prairie State that have earned voluntary certification through the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) HealthierU.S. School Challenge.
“It’s great to see so many schools voluntarily improve nutrition and physical activity programs to create healthier environment for students,†said State Superintendent of Education Christopher A. Koch. “Schools that take up this challenge know that when students are physically active and eating well, they’re more likely to succeed in the classroom and develop lifelong healthy habits.â€
The HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) certification initiative was established in 2004 with three award levels; Bronze, Silver and Gold. To date, about 6,000 schools across the country, including about 210 in Illinois, have become certified. Of the 126 schools that have become certified since July 1, 2012, approximately 44, or 35 percent, are in Chicago Public Schools District 299, and the other 65 percent represent 82 schools in 17 districts. Four Illinois high schools, 11 middle schools and the remaining 111 elementary schools earned recognition since July 1.
Schools qualify for each award level depending on their percent of eligible students participating in the free and reduced breakfast and lunch programs, weekly physical activities, menu plans and recipes, nutrition education, school wellness plans and partnerships with community groups to promote wellness. In Illinois to date, about 10 schools have achieved the highest award; the Gold Award of Distinction, another 41 have achieved the Gold award, 58 have achieved the Silver level and another 72 have achieved certification as Bronze level schools. To view the application criteria, visit: http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/HealthierUS/2012criteria_chart.html
To see a list of all Illinois schools certified to date, view the Healthy Access Locator to see a graphic and search awards by state at: http://www.healthyaccesslocator.com/
This graphic depicts all of the schools currently certified. The schools that became certified during the current school year are:
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|
District |
School |
Award |
|
Belvidere Community School District #100 |
Belvidere Central Middle School |
Bronze |
|
Caledonia Elementary School |
Bronze |
|
|
Kishwaukee Elementary School |
Bronze |
|
|
Meehan Elementary School |
Silver |
|
|
Perry Elementary School |
Silver |
|
|
Seth Whitman Elementary School |
Bronze |
|
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 |
 |
|
Chicago Public Schools 299 |
Alexander Hamilton Elementary School |
Bronze |
|
Alfred D. Kohn Fine & Performing Arts Magnet Cluster Elementary School |
Bronze |
|
|
Armour Elementary School |
Gold |
|
|
Avalon Park Elementary School |
Silver |
|
|
Belmont-Cragin Elementary School |
Bronze |
|
|
Benito Juarez Community Academy |
Silver |
|
|
Burnham Anthony Inclusive Academy |
Silver |
|
|
Carrie Jacob Bond Elementary School |
Silver |
|
|
Chappell Elementary School |
Bronze |
|
|
Christian Fenger Academy High School |
Gold |
|
|
Claremont Academy |
Silver |
|
|
Disney II Magnet School |
Bronze |
|
|
Edison Park Elementary School |
Bronze |
|
|
Enrico Tonti Elementary School |
Silver |
|
|
Federico Garcia Lorca Elementary School |
Silver |
|
|
Foster Park |
Bronze |
|
|
Frank W. Reilly Elementary School |
Silver |
|
|
Galileo Scholastic Academy |
Bronze |
|
|
Granville T. Woods Math and Science Academy |
Gold |
|
|
Haines Elementary School |
Silver |
|
|
Hannah G. Solomon Elementary School |
Bronze |
|
|
Helen C. Pierce School of International Studies |
Silver |
|
|
Hyman G. Rickover Naval Academy |
Gold |
|
|
Ida B. Wells Preparatory Academy |
Silver |
|
|
Irvin C. Mollison Elementary School |
Gold |
|
|
James Ward Elementary School |
Silver |
|
|
John Milton Gregory Elementary School |
Silver |
|
|
Joseph E. Gary Elementary School |
Silver |
|
|
Joseph Kellman Corporate Community School |
Silver |
|
|
Lazaro Cardenas Elementary School |
Bronze |
|
|
Lozano Bilingual & International Center |
Gold |
|
|
Mark Sheridan Math and Science Academy |
Bronze |
|
|
Marvin Camras Elementary School |
Bronze |
|
|
Mary Gage Peterson Elementary School |
Gold |
|
|
Mather High School |
Silver |
|
|
McDowell Elementary School of International Studies |
Gold |
|
|
Medgar Evers Elementary School |
Bronze |
|
|
Mildred I. Lavizzo Elementary School |
Silver |
|
|
Newberry Math and Science Academy |
Bronze |
|
|
Nicholas Senn High School |
Gold |
|
|
Oscar DePriest Elementary School |
Silver |
|
|
Parker Community Academy |
Silver |
|
|
Patrick Henry Elementary School |
Silver |
|
|
Paul Cuffe Math-Science Technology Academy Elementary School |
Gold |
|
|
Pilsen Community Academy |
Silver |
|
|
Pulaski International School of Chicago |
Gold |
|
|
Ray Graham Training Center High School |
Gold |
|
|
Robert A. Black Magnet Elementary School |
Silver |
|
|
Robert Fulton Elementary School |
Silver |
|
|
Robert Healy Elementary School |
Silver |
|
|
Salmon P. Chase Elementary School |
Silver |
|
|
Shields Elementary School |
Silver |
|
|
Songhai Learning Institute |
Gold |
|
|
Steinmetz Academic Prep |
Silver |
|
|
Theophilus Schmid Elementary School |
Silver |
|
|
Thomas J. Higgins Elementary Community Academy |
Silver |
|
|
Wildwood Elementary School |
Bronze |
|
|
William Claude Reavis Elementary School |
Silver |
|
|
Williams Multiplex Elementary School |
Silver |
|
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 |
 |
|
Dolton School District #149 |
Berger Vandenberg School |
Gold |
|
Carol Moseley Braun School |
Gold |
|
|
Caroline Sibley School |
Gold |
|
|
Diekman School |
Gold |
|
|
New Beginnings Learning Academy |
Gold |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
LeRoy School District #2 |
LeRoy Elementary School |
Silver |
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 |
 |
|
Payson Community Unit District 1 |
Payson Seymour Elementary School |
Gold Award of Distinction |
| Â |
 |
 |
|
River Trails School District #26 |
Euclid Elementary School |
Gold |
| Â |
 |
 |
|
South Berwyn District 100 |
Freedom Middle School |
Gold Award of Distinction |
|
Heritage Middle School |
Gold Award of Distinction |
|
|
Hiawatha Elementary School |
Gold Award of Distinction |
|
|
Komensky Elementary School |
Gold Award of Distinction |
|
|
Pershing Elementary School |
Gold Award of Distinction |
|
|
Piper Elementary School |
Gold Award of Distinction |
|
| Â |
 |
 |
|
Woodstock School District 200 |
Clay Academy |
Silver |
|
Creekside Middle School |
Silver |
|
|
Dean Street Elementary School |
Silver |
|
|
Greenwood Elementary School |
Bronze |
