Congratulations to 14 Texas schools who have achieved Gold or Silver Status in the HealthierUS Challenge, an award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recognizing schools that are creating healthy school environments by promoting good nutrition and physical activity.
GOLD STATUS:
McDougle Elementary (Klein ISD)
T.J. Lee Elementary (Irving ISD)
SILVER STATUS:
Barton Elementary (Irving ISD)
Brandenburg Elementary (Irving ISD)
Britain Elementary (Irving ISD)
Davis Elementary (Irving ISD)
F.M. Gilbert Elementary (Irving ISD)
Hanes Elementary (Irving ISD)
John Haley Elementary (Irving ISD)
Johnston Elementary (Irving ISD)
K.E. Little Elementary (Dickinson ISD)
Lively Elementary (Irving ISD)
Schulze Elementary (Irving ISD)
Stipes Elementary (Irving ISD)
Join us in congratulating all these outstanding achievements. With such high distinctions, these food service programs characterize the "Healthy Students = Healthy Families" approach TDA strives to foster. We hope their success inspires more schools to follow their lead.
Schools can become certified as either a Gold, Silver or Bronze School, depending on meeting certain criteria. To see all the certified schools or learn more about the programs please visit http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/HealthierUS/silvergoldtn.html
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has established the HealthierUS Schools Challenge to encourage schools to take a leadership role in helping students learn to make healthy eating and active lifestyle choices.
HealthierUS Schools can be certified as either Silver or Gold Schools, according to standards established by FNS. To be certified, a school must:
be an elementary school
be enrolled as a Team Nutrition School
offer reimbursable lunches that demonstrate healthy menu planning practices and principles of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and that meet USDA nutrition standards
provide nutrition education to students
provide students the opportunity for physical activity
maintain an Average Daily Participation of 70 percent or higher of school enrollment for reimbursable lunches
adhere to guidelines established by FNS for foods served/sold in schools outside the National School Lunch Program.
FNS will award schools that successfully meet the Challenge with an appropriate recognition plaque. In addition, the recognized schools will be listed on the Team Nutrition Web site, may be chosen to be a part of special FNS media events and may receive other awards that promote and support the principles of the Challenge.
To access only the application packet, click here.
For additional information on the HealthierUS School Challenge, including instructions and criteria, visit http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/HealthierUS/index.html.
To contact the Food and Nutrition Division's Nutrition Coordinator call (888) TEX-KIDS or write squaremeals@agr.state.tx.us.
