Advocates for Health in Action (AHA) has given four Western Wake Schools awards for promoting healthy living by supporting healthy behaviors at school for both students and staff.
Davis Drive Elementary and Highcroft Drive Elementary in Cary won the AHA Brains and Bodies Award at the Silver level designation. Davis Drive Elementary and Apex schools Laurel Park Elementary and Olive Chapel Elementary won the new Wellness Star Award. School Board Chair Christine Kushner was invited to present the awards.
“We are so impressed with the work of all these schools to make wellness and health a priority,” Sara Merz, director of AHA. “Physically active students who eat healthy foods perform better academically, have fewer disciplinary issues, and are starting off on the right foot.”
“The schools being recognized have come up with some really creative solutions, and have used research-based best practices to increase healthy behaviors in their schools. More than 43 percent of kids aged 5 to 11 in Wake County are overweight or obese,” Merz continued. “Our Brains and Bodies Award winners are making a real difference in their schools by changing the way they do their work, creating opportunities for students to be active, and implementing the WCPSS Wellness Policy and focusing on employee and student wellness.”
“I congratulate the winning schools and applaud their outstanding efforts to emphasize healthy habits and to create a healthier school environment for students and staff alike,” said Kushner.
In addition to the four schools in Western Wake, these Wake County Schools also received recognition on April 25, 2014:
- Gold: Underwood Elementary School in Raleigh, which won the Brains and Bodies Award (4th year)
- Silver: Brier Creek Elementary, Hunter Elementary, Joyner Elementary,
- Bronze: Brentwood Elementary, Lead Mine Elementary, Martin Middle School and Oak Grove Elementary
- Other Wellness Star winners: Hunter Elementary, Martin Middle and Wake Forest Elementary.
“We hope that all schools across Wake County will be inspired by what these award-winning schools are doing, and often at little or no expense, consider things that make a big difference in student health, and be in the running to be recognized in next year’s awards,” Merz said.
