Five Schools in Monett R-1 School District Recognized for Addressing Student Health Needs Relevant During COVID-19 Crisis
Monett Elementary School, Central Park Elementary School, Monett Intermediate School, Monett Middle School and Monett High School nationally recognized for implementing best practices in nutrition and physical activity
(MONETT, MO), August 31, 2020 – All five schools in the Monett school district are among the 517 schools nationwide to earn a spot on the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s (Healthier Generation) 2020 list of America’s Healthiest Schools” for their commitment to promoting quality nutrition, regular physical activity and strong wellness policies.
Though Monett Elementary School, Central Park Elementary School, Monett Intermediate School, Monett Middle School, and Monett High School were evaluated on practices taking place prior to the COVID-19 school closures; they leveraged their strong foundations in wellness and were positioned to prioritize healthy habits throughout the pandemic. They have continued to sustain and promote good health by following steps toward creating a healthier environment by:
- Continuing the implementation of Breakfast in the Classroom for all students (Pre-K – 8th grade), continuing this program into the 2020 – 2021 school year and offering grab-n-go breakfast to our high school students to provide all our students a healthy, but safe breakfast during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
- Integrating Farm to School efforts through indoor and outdoor school gardens that allow for integration of classroom curriculum, partnership with our district high school GO CAPS program that helps us integrate these gardens into school meals. During the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic all garden harvest during our school closures were taken to little pantries around our community to benefit our local students and families. Starting August 2020, all produce harvested is going directly into our school meals.
- Additionally, during our closure of the COVID-19 pandemic our food service department worked tirelessly to provide breakfast and lunch to our students daily through bus delivery. Additionally, produce and food boxes were provided to our students and their families during this time. We served #77,524 meals from March – June, and have provided #4,100 food/produce boxes through Ozarks Food Harvest June – August.
- Continuing our working partnership with the City of Monett to help improve pedestrian transportation efforts, and established safe routes to school for students via Walking/Biking School Bus events. Currently postponed until Spring 2021.
- Continuing to implement an insurance based Employee Wellness program that encourages staff to act as healthy role models for our students. Catering our program to provide staff with more virtual options and more opportunities for their overall wellbeing and mental health during this time.
For nearly 15 years, Healthier Generation’s annual recognition program has honored schools that are implementing best practices that support children’s learning and development, including meeting or exceeding federal standards for nutritious school meals and providing regular opportunities for students and staff to be active throughout the school day. It remains one of the country’s longest-running, nationwide recognition programs honoring schools for achievements in nutrition, physical activity and wellness policies.
“The teachers, parents, students and staff at Monett R-1 recognize the critical role that health play in learning,” said Alex Severs, District Wellness Coordinator “We’re honored to receive this national recognition for our dedication to supporting the well-being of students and staff, and remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering environments where all members of the school community can succeed.”
“We commend this cohort of school leaders for prioritizing the essential health needs of students and staff in a time of great challenge and with limited resources at their disposal,” said Kathy Higgins, chief executive officer of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. “Over time, these awardees established strong foundations in health – allowing them to pivot and adapt to meet acute health and wellness needs in a year unlike any other.”
As members of Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program, Monett Elementary School, Central Park Elementary School, Monett Intermediate School, Monett Middle School and Monett High School work to implement wellness policies and practices that meet federal requirements and support a comprehensive approach to kids’ health. Any school can join Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program to access trainings, resources and technical assistance by visiting HealthierGeneration.org.
To view the complete list of awardees, visit HealthiestSchools.org.
About the Alliance for a Healthier Generation
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation believes every child deserves a healthy future. For over a decade, Healthier Generation has empowered kids to develop lifelong healthy habits by ensuring the environments that surround them provide and promote good health. Driven by our passion that all young people deserve a chance to live healthier lives, our work, in total, has reached more than 29 million kids across the country. To learn more and help make a difference, visit HealthierGeneration.org and join us on Facebook and Twitter.