September 2014

Introducing the New Healthy Schools Program Website!

The School Health Index Provides an Easier Way to Measure Your Progress

During the summer, the Alliance launched a new Healthy Schools Program website with a cleaner look, fewer clicks, fewer questions, and more opportunities to share your accomplishments.

To streamline your efforts, the Alliance has replaced its Healthy Schools Program Inventory with the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) School Health Index. By offering a unified assessment tool, the CDC and the Alliance are making it easier for schools to implement health-promoting policies and practices. Learn more about what using the School Health Index means for you.

As you work through your School Health Index, health practices that are not yet in place at your school are automatically added to your Action Plan. Your Action Plan will outline achievable steps that will help you maintain momentum as you work toward becoming a healthier school. Each action step is complete with examples of success, implementation strategies, and resources to reach your goals.

Visit Our New Website

2014 Leaders Summit in Review

President Clinton Recognizes 250 Award-Winning Schools

On Friday, September 12, President Clinton kicked off our annual Leaders Summit in Washington, DC, recognizing school leaders like you for their efforts to build healthier environments.

The weekend was jam-packed with inspiring speakers such as Under Secretary Kevin Concannon of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Joy Bauer of NBC's TODAY Show, and Bonnie Bernstein, veteran sports journalist, who each shared a personal commitment to ensuring kids are given the best start possible in life through a healthy diet and physical activity.

Representatives from our 250 schools that earned either the Bronze, Silver, or Gold National Healthy Schools Award were recognized on stage for going above and beyond for our nation's children.

Photos and Video from the Event

Thank You to Our Summit Sponsors

Our Leaders Summit would not be possible without the continued support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the generous contributions of our Summit sponsors - Sanofi US, NutriBullet, Technogym, Brita, BOKS and many more! Learn about a few of our sponsors below and see what they have to offer your school.

Tips and Tools

National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
Visit 'My Healthier Generation' on the Alliance website to learn how YOU can join our efforts to raise awareness about childhood obesity during September on social media, at home, at school, and during out-of-school time.

New Website: Let's Move! Active Schools
We think your new experience will be a ton of fun! The new website helps you move through the Let's Move! Active Schools process, benchmark success, and identify which programs, resources, and initiatives make sense for your school.

Fundraise the Healthy Way
Refresh your knowledge about how your school can continue to fundraise while still aligning with the Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.

Tips from Principal Jean McTavish
Edward A. Reynolds West Side High School in New York City, a 2014 National Healthy Schools Gold Award winner, provides students with opportunities to gain confidence, strength, and stress-management skills through early morning spin classes. Learn more about how your school can incorporate innovative healthy changes too!

Revisit Smart Snacks Resources
Stop by the Alliance and the School Nutrition Association's one-stop-shop for Smart Snacks in School information to view a presentation about the new standards or watch an on-demand video that outlines steps for success.

As always, if you think someone you know could put this info to good use, .