Murray Elementary School Named to 2020 List of America’s Healthiest Schools with national Award for Implementing Best Practices in Nutrition and Physical Activity
-Murray Elementary School is recognized among 518 schools nationwide as a silver award winner with Alliance for a Healthier Generation. Murray Elementary School earned a spot on the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s (Healthier Generation) 2020 list of America’s Healthiest Schools” for their commitment to promoting quality nutrition, regular physical activity and strong wellness policies. Murray Elementary School, along with SCAPA Bluegrass Middle School (Fayette County), West Louisville Elementary School (Daviess County), and Fulton County Elementary School received the silver status recognition.
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation has given the award for 15 years, recognizing schools that use best practices to support learning and development, including meeting or exceeding federal standards for nutritious school meals and providing regular opportunities for students and staff to be active throughout the school day. Gold, silver or bronze awards were given this year to 517 schools across the country. All schools were evaluated on practices taking place prior to the COVID-19 school closures, they leveraged their strong foundations in wellness and were positioned to prioritize healthy habits throughout the pandemic. It remains one of the country’s longest-running, nationwide recognition programs honoring schools for achievements in nutrition, physical activity and wellness policies.
“We commend this cohort of school leaders for prioritizing the essential health needs of students and staff in a time of great challenge and with limited resources at their disposal,” said Kathy Higgins, chief executive officer of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. “Over time, these awardees established strong foundations in health – allowing them to pivot and adapt to meet acute health and wellness needs in a year unlike any other.”
“The teachers, parents, students and staff at Murray Elementary School recognize the critical role that health plays in learning,” said Denise Whitaker, MES principal. “We’re honored to receive this national recognition for our dedication to supporting the well-being of students and staff, and remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering environments where all members of the school community can succeed.”
As members of Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program, Murray Elementary works to implement wellness policies and practices that meet federal requirements and support a comprehensive approach to kids’ health. Any school can join Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program to access trainings, resources and technical assistance by visiting HealthierGeneration.org.
To view the complete list of America's Healthiest Schools, visit HealthiestSchools.org.
About the Alliance for a Healthier Generation
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation believes every child deserves a healthy future. For over a decade, Healthier Generation has empowered kids to develop lifelong healthy habits by ensuring the environments that surround them provide and promote good health. Driven by our passion that all young people deserve a chance to live healthier lives, our work, in total, has reached more than 29 million kids across the country. To learn more and help make a difference, visit HealthierGeneration.org and join us on Facebook and Twitter.