| JB
Fisher Elementary
Richmond, Virginia
Strong Parent Group Enhances Healthy Offerings
“One
step at a time” is helping A.W.E.SOME (Appealing
and fun, Welcome and inviting, Easy and simple) changes
take place at JB Fisher Elementary in many different
venues!
 |
All
walking the marathon distance are recognized! |
Students
continuing in the Kids Marathon program are recognized
on the Wall of Fame with some of them completing 2 marathons!
School staff are getting motivated also. “Mrs.
Charlene Brown, cafeteria volunteer/worker, walks every
day now!” reports KidLink team leader, Natalie
May.
Putting
a healthy spin on existing events and piloting new activities
kept the KidLink team hopping! A few of their activities
completed this year, with an enhanced version planned
for next year, are:
- Kids
Marathon program
- “Turn
off the TV Week”
-
Teacher Appreciation Week with nutritious treats
-
Healthy refreshments at school functions
-
Healthy fundraising ideas
- Healthy
party, snack and treat ideas for teachers and room
parents
Natalie
says, “More importantly, we have finally pulled
together a strong group of parents for our KidLink team.
We have begun meeting monthly, and our progress has
been pretty exciting!”
JB
Fisher Elementary has stepped up to the challenge and
are making AWESOME changes happen!
 |
Kids
complete the school marathon’s 25th mile! |
Healthy Messages and Activities Galore
“On
the run” is the best way to describe the Health
and Wellness Committee at JB Fisher Elementary as they
feature healthy messages everywhere kids and families
turn. They are:
- Publishing
a 2-page monthly Fit Flamingo newsletter that highlights
- A
healthy food and its benefits, followed by an
easy, delicious recipe
- “Healthy
Family Eating Tips”
- “Make
Your Child Laugh” - jokes about the featured
food
- “The
Family Table” encouraging families to eat
together
- “Fast
Food Smarts” to help families on the go
make healthier menu choices
-
Linking the school web site to health and wellness
Web sites, including ones mentioned in the Fit Flamingo
newsletter
-
Conducting
their first “Kids-R-Cooking” classes for
all 1st – 5th graders which introduces children
to basic culinary skills, kitchen safety, and healthy
eating
-
 |
Everyone’s
a winner receiving a medal and t-shirt. |
Working
with the P.T.A. Hospitality Committee to provide healthy
refreshments at all P.T.A.-sponsored events
-
Using
their “J. B. the Fit Flamingo Super Hero”
logo on posters throughout the school building with
rotating healthy messages such as: J.B. says, “Walking
is cool! Be fit in 2006!”
-
Sending
copies of the monthly school P.T.A. newsletter The
Proud Flamingo as well as The Fit Flamingo to their
City Council and School Board representatives to help
provide documentation of their efforts to create a
healthy school environment
JB
Fisher has hit the ground running with healthy messages
offered in a variety of ways to help parents and kids
be as fit as J.B. the Fit Flamingo Super Hero!
Fit Flamingo adds Healthy Fun
JB
Fisher Elementary is off to a quick start! While working
on developing their KidLink team, the “Fit Flamingos”
are initiating exciting healthy happenings. Here are
just a few examples!
- The
nutrition fun began at the Back to School night. A
raffle for an assortment of healthy lunchbox items
was a big hit!
- Early
morning tips and jokes about fruits and veggies are
shared over the school’s public announcement
system.
-
The team is making the most of their school’s
existing 1/5 mile track to encourage walking and/or
running. An after school Wednesday Walking Club includes
parents, teachers and kids who are developing camaraderie
and commitment to a regular habit of physical activity.
The fun is enhanced with a comic-book style character,
J.B. the Fit Flamingo Super Hero,
created by a parent! There are even more plans for
“J.B.” to deliver kid-friendly, healthy
messages.
A
Kids Marathon event was a “headliner”
rally point for healthy change. The community supported
the event with running/walking logs for every student.
Kids individually tracked their miles of walking or
running. Those who reached 24 miles on their own were
joined by parents and teachers to complete their 25th
mile at the school’s marathon finale, The Richmond
Marathon Kids Run. All participants received a finisher’s
medal and a “Fit Flamingo” t-shirt.
Step
by step, the JB Fisher Elementary community is fanning
the flickering desire for change into a brightly burning
environment for healthy habits!
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