6 Hoover schools win national healthy eating, physical activity awards

Six Hoover schools are set to receive national awards today at the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, Ark., for creating healthy eating and physical activity programs.

The awards are being given by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, founded by the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation in 2006 to combat childhood obesity. President Bill Clinton and the president of the heart association both are scheduled to be there.

Bumpus Middle School will receive a silver award, while bronze awards will be given to Gwin Elementary, the Hoover Freshman Campus, Hoover High, Spain Park High and Simmons Middle School. Only 275 schools from throughout the country will receive the award this year, and the six Hoover schools are the only Alabama representatives.

The program to award schools began in 2008.

"What schools do is they sign up for a healthy schools program, whether on-site or online," said Penny Edwards, the alliance's relationship manager for Alabama. "The Hoover schools did the on-site program where they have somebody come in -- their relationship manager -- and take them through a process toward them becoming a healthier school. Once a school gets to bronze, silver or gold in all areas, then they can apply for national recognition."

Bumpus reached the bronze level during the 2009-10 school year and climbed to silver status this year.

"They were really an example of a school that just kept things building and moving forward," Edwards said. "Some schools, they get to bronze and they are satisfied with that and might do one or two smaller things, but Bumpus really kept at it."

Edwards said the improvement came with programs instituted by child nutrition staff manager Mary Thomas and athletic trainer Donna Boyd. The programs include access to healthier food by offering taste testing to students and offering 24-hour access to a workout room.

At Gwin, students can participate in a running club before school and unicycle and dance clubs after school, and staff are encouraged to participate in an after-school workout program.

At Simmons, the cafeteria was revamped, an employee wellness program was instituted and the health education program was upgraded.

Programs at the Hoover Freshman Campus included a "Fit Time" club for students and access for the staff to the school's weight room. At Hoover High, whole grains, salads and fruits are offered with every meal, and spin classes are available for faculty.

6 Hoover schools win national healthy eating, physical activity ...

Hoover Six schools are set to receive national awards today at the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, to create a healthy eating and physical activity.

Prices are provided by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, founded by the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton in 2006 to combat childhood obesity. President Bill Clinton and president of the heart at a time are expected to be there.

Bumpus Middle School will receive a cash prize, while the bronze awards will be given to Gwin Elementary, the Freshman Campus Hoover, Hoover High, Spain Park High and Simmons Middle School. Only 275 schools across the country will receive the award this year, and six schools are the only representatives Hoover Alabama.

The program rewards schools began in 2008.

"What schools do is they enroll in a school health program, either onsite or online," said Penny Edwards, director of the alliance relationship to Alabama. "The Hoover schools did the on-site program where they have somebody come in -- their relationship manager -- and take them through a process toward them becoming a healthier school. Once a school gets to bronze, silver or gold in all areas, then they can apply for national recognition."

Bumpus reached the bronze level during the 2009-10 school year and climbed to silver status this year.

"They were really an example of a school that just kept things building and moving forward," Edwards said. "Some schools, they get to bronze and they are satisfied with that and might do one or two smaller things, but Bumpus really kept at it."

Edwards said the improvement came with programs instituted by child nutrition staff manager Mary Thomas and athletic trainer Donna Boyd. The programs include access to healthier food by offering taste testing to students and offering 24-hour access to a workout room.

At Gwin, students can participate in a running club before school and unicycle and dance clubs after school, and staff are encouraged to participate in an after-school workout program.

At Simmons, the cafeteria was revamped, an employee wellness program was instituted and the health education program was upgraded.

Programs at the Hoover Freshman Campus included a "Fit Time" club for students and access for the staff to the school's weight room. At Hoover High, whole grains, salads and fruits are offered with every meal, and spin classes are available for faculty.

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