Medford’s Griffin Creek Elementary Receives Healthy Schools Award
- Thursday, July 29th, 2010
Griffin Creek Elementary School was one of 11 schools in Oregon that recently received a National Recognition Award from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. Griffin Creek was recognized for promoting physical fitness and healthy nutrition among students and staff.
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation is a joint project of the William J. Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association. It supports more than 9,000 schools nationwide in promoting healthy living through healthy eating and physical activity.
President Bill Clinton was among those presenting the awards during the event in New York City. A total of 179 schools from across the country were distinguished for developing healthy eating and physical activity programs and policies that meet or exceed stringent standards set by the Alliance’s Healthy Schools Program.
“The 179 schools earning recognition join the ranks of schools from all over the United States that have shown exemplary commitment to the health of their students and staff,” President Clinton said. Congratulations Griffin Creek, you are making a positive difference in the lives of your students and staff!
The OEA Choice Trust Wellness Grant Program presented us with a unique opportunity to help improve the health and well-being of Oregon school employees by awarding grants to qualified educational organizations for self-designed wellness programs created and personalized by school employees for school employees. They determine what works best in their community setting. The goal is to enable each participant to have a long lasting, positive impact in their lives through healthier lifestyle choices; which in-turn goes beyond the school setting; to students, parents, and communities.
We have some wonderful testimonies and stories gathered from our Pilot Grants – here are a few:
From Griffin Creek Elementary: “…I have observed more conversation in the staff room regarding health and nutrition. Teachers of a similar age and weight are paring up together to walk and attend classes at the YMCA. Support and camaraderie is evident among staff and welcomed at this stressful time of year. Thank you again for giving us the opportunity to participate in this life changing, purposeful activity.”
From Cascade SD: “Our program is going great. …The test results are very interesting and a little scary. I have had two employees come thank me for having the testing because they said it may have saved their lives. They had no idea they had a severe health issue.”
To read more go to the Stories section.
The Tooth Taxi was launched September 2008 through an innovative partnership among OEA Choice Trust, The Dental Foundation of Oregon (DFO) and ODS. A state of the art dental clinic on wheels; the Tooth Taxi in three years has helped improve the oral health of over 4, 000 children and provided over $2,500,000 in value of free dental care through-out the state of Oregon.
School employees have witnessed firsthand the improvement of children in class after a visit on the tooth taxi – a note from one of our visits:
“Just wanted to let you know how pleased the folks in Falls City were with the dental van!! At our service integration team meeting last week Aaron reported on how it all went. Teachers are reporting improved behavior from kids, almost instantly after their visit with you. I heard from Jessica that had the high school students known how much work would be done (not just assessment and referral as had been done before), more of them would have come over. So next time you are in town there I think you’ll see more of the older kids. Hope all is going well and the team is enjoying much success. Thanks again for all you do for the kids!”
The Tooth Taxi also works with the OEA Foundation when it can to help provide much needed dental care to those students identified by school employees.
For more stories please visit www.smileonoregon.org about the Tooth Taxi.
We are excited to share this information with you!
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