Healthy Schools Support Learning: Jesup Elementary School

On October 2, 2015, at the 2015 Leaders Summit in Washington, DC, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation will recognize Jesup Elementary School as one of 376 schools that have transformed the school environment into a healthier place as part of the Alliance’s Healthy Schools Program.

The Healthy Schools Program, a national, school-based childhood obesity prevention initiative, has worked with more than 30,000 schools to increase quality physical activity, health education, and nutrition.

The Program is particularly important as aside from home, kids spend most of their time at school, making schools important places to influence kids’ behavior and lifelong health habits. Research shows that healthy students learn better: they perform better on tests, get better grades, attend school more often and behave better in class.

"The staff and students are better educated about the healthy choices that we can make at school as well as at home."

- Carla Armstrong, School Nurse

Running club, dance, karate, and gymnastics are among the many opportunities for physical activity that have been incorporated into the afterschool program at Jesup Elementary School. In addition to revamping the afterschool offerings, the school encourages students to get moving by scheduling at least 55 minutes of physical education every week. Students enjoy 20 minutes of recess every day, and staff keep an eye on their students while walking laps with their colleagues around the playground.

Healthy eating is also a top priority at Jesup Elementary; the cafeteria serves nutritious meals for breakfast and lunch every day. Menus are mailed home in advance so that parents are aware of the healthy options available to their children, and students are reminded of the importance of eating a nutritious meal during morning announcements. “Now the staff and students are more educated about the healthy choices we can make at school as well as at home,” said Carla Armstrong, school nurse.