ANIMAS VALLEY ELEMENTARY RECEIVES DISTINCTION AS “HEALTH CHAMPION”
ANIMAS VALLEY ELEMENTARY RECEIVES DISTINCTION AS “HEALTH CHAMPION”
Special Recognition To Take Place In Denver On November 9, 2010
The Colorado Department of Education (“CDE”) has recognized Animas Valley Elementary School as one of five schools in Colorado to receive the designation as a “Healthy School Champion.”
The CDE, in acknowledging that there are many exemplary things happening in coordinated school health, created an online “Healthy School Champion Score Card” for schools to assess their best practices in the areas of health education, health services, counseling, nutrition services & education, physical education & activity, family & community involvement, staff wellness, and healthy school environment.Animas Valley Elementary submitted its application with supporting documentation and earned the ranking as a top achiever. As part of this achievement, representatives from the school will participate in a special ceremony in Denver on Tuesday, November 9, 2010. The school will be awarded $5,000 to further its excellent work and maintain its status as one of the healthiest schools in Colorado.
Principal Lisa Schuba stated that Animas Valley Elementary plans to use the money to build a greenhouse. The school currently has a garden that has produced more than one hundred pounds of vegetables used in student and teacher school lunches. The community aided the school in developing the garden, maintaining it through the summer, and were instrumental in the fall harvest. Along with items from the garden, students and teachers also enjoy food through the Farm to School Program that features local, organic and natural agricultural products from regional farms. A greenhouse at the school will help produce vegetables year-round.
Healthy living is an important part of the culture at Animas Valley Elementary School — as realized in an important school motto is “Healthy Students Learn Better and Healthy Teachers Teach Better.” For more information about this award or Animas Valley Elementary, please contact Lisa Schuba at 970-247-0124.
