Governor Kaine Announces Healthy Virginians Awards for Ten Schools
– Madison Heights Elementary in Amherst County and Agnor-Hurt Elementary in Albemarle County Earn Gold Awards –

LYNCHBURG – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today presented the Governor’s Gold Award for Best Practices in Nutrition and Physical Activity to Madison Heights Elementary School in Amherst County in recognition of the school’s success in promoting good health and nutrition. Governor Kaine also congratulated Agnor-Hurt Elementary School in Albemarle County for earning the Gold Award in November 2005, and eight schools for earning either Bronze or Silver Awards. 

“Good health and student achievement go hand in hand,” said Governor Kaine.  “Schools that emphasize healthy activity and good nutrition increase the likelihood of academic success, and they also help us battle childhood obesity and disease.”

Governor Kaine presented a Gold Award banner and a resolution to Madison Heights Elementary School Principal Darlene Mack and congratulated the school for promoting healthy foods, drinks, and snacks and encouraging regular physical activity during and outside of the school day.  Following the presentation, students demonstrated some of the activities that helped their school win the award. Governor Kaine then ate lunch with the students in the cafeteria.

Agnor-Hurt and Madison Heights are the second and third schools honored with the Healthy Virginians Gold Award for outstanding programs promoting wellness.  The first Gold Award was earned last June by Mantua Elementary School in Fairfax County.

Governor Kaine today also announced Silver Healthy Virginians Awards for Hamilton Elementary School in Loudoun County and Marstellar Middle School in Prince William County, and Bronze Awards for Hillside Elementary School and Round Hill Elementary School in Loudoun County, Westridge Elementary School in Prince William County, and Brownsville Elementary School, Red Hill Elementary School, and Virginia L. Murray Elementary School in Albemarle County.

The Governor’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Awards Program is part of the Healthy Virginians Initiative and is designed to encourage policies and practices that promote good nutrition and regular physical activity.  Since the initiative was launched last year, more than 300 schools have participated in the awards program.  So far, 15 schools have earned awards.

Schools participate in the Healthy Virginians Initiative by recording data and information pertaining to nutrition and physical activity on an interactive online scorecard. Schools earn points based on their implementation of best practices such as the integration of health and physical education concepts across the curriculum, providing adequate time for physical education and recess, encouraging the participation of students and families in healthy activities, and offering meals and food items that are low-fat and meet nutritional standards. After receiving feedback from the scorecard, schools are able to adjust or change their policies and practices and re-submit data.

The best practices measured by the scorecard are based on the recommendations of national and state organizations, including the Joint Committee of the Board of Education and Board of Health and Virginia Action for Healthy Kids.

Recognizing the important role schools can play in combating problems associated with poor nutrition and inactivity in children, Congress adopted a provision requiring school divisions to establish local wellness policies by the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year. These local wellness policies must address nutrition education, physical activity, and other school-based activities that promote student wellness. Schools that have implemented the nutrition and physical activity standards addressed in the Governor’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Award Program scorecard are well on their way to meeting Congress’ local wellness policy requirement.

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