America's Healthiest Schools: Reuben Johnson Middle School

Healthy habits are becoming the norm at Reuben Elementary School, where students and staff are learning the importance of healthy eating and physical activity. In addition to provide students with recess every day, the school organizes an engaging and creative “workout of the day” for the entire student body. Teachers incorporate movement breaks into their lesson plans to help students maintain their energy and focus. To get staff moving, the school encourages teachers to participate in a fitness challenge and provides a campus bicycle for staff to utilize during their breaks. These opportunities for physical activity are paired with efforts to promote healthy eating; the school offers a full menu of healthy lunch options and ensures that all foods sold outside of the school meals program align with the USDA Smart Snacks in School standards. Teachers enjoy participating in healthy cooking demonstrations, and students look forward to sampling new fruits and vegetables once a month on Taste It Tuesdays. “The students and staff are more mindful of making healthy choices, whether they are tasting new fruits and vegetables or drinking more water instead of sugary drinks,” said Shannon Hershberger, school nurse.