8 Richland 1 schools recognized as among healthiest in nation

Eight Richland 1 schools have been recognized as being among the healthiest nationwide.

The district leads the state this year in the number of schools named as winners of the prestigious National Healthy Schools Award.

Brockman Elementary, in Forest Acres, is one of only 14 schools in the nation – and the first in South Carolina – to receive the National Healthy Schools Gold Award, which is the highest honor bestowed by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.

Bronze Award winners include Carver-Lyon Elementary, Columbia High, Dreher High, Edward E. Taylor Elementary, Gadsden Elementary, Horrell Hill Elementary and Pine Grove Elementary schools.

The awards were announced by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a national organization founded by the American Heart Association and the Clinton Foundation. Its goal is to reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity and to empower children to develop lifelong healthy habits.

To earn the awards, schools had to meet or exceed stringent standards set by the Alliance’s Healthy Schools Program for serving healthier meals and snacks, getting students moving more, offering high-quality physical and health education and empowering school leaders to become healthy role models.

Here’s how the Richland 1 schools became Healthy Schools:

Brockman students ran and danced their way to healthier lifestyles. During a FUNd Run, each student walked/ran for at least 20 minutes, helping to raise more than $20,000 for the school. Since the start of a Running Club in 2010, more than 175 students have been trained to run a 5K. The school hosts at least four 5K runs throughout the year with parents and teachers as coaches and runners. At February’s Dance Your Heart Out event, 210 students stayed after school and performed Zumba and five fun dances they learned in PE class. In addition to those events, Brockman stopped having food-related fundraisers and implemented a school-wide policy requiring snacks served to students and staff to meet the USDA Smart Snack guidelines.

Carver-Lyon increased physical activity with a school walking club, Girls on the Run club, and GoNoodle exercises. In addition to promoting walks and other healthy events for staff, the school also offered a salad bar during lunch for all students and healthy snacks for incentives.

Columbia High has been working to improve the overall fitness of its staff, students and community. Students are encouraged to ride their bikes and walk to school. Fitness rooms are available to staff and students. Health evaluations were conducted for staff members. Healthy snacks and vending items are offered before and after school and the Annual Healthy Capital 5K Run/Walk is a favorite event of the entire Pine Valley community.

Dreher staff are working out in the school’s fitness room. The school also developed a staff fitness education program and encouraged employees to participate in local fitness events, such as 5Ks and half-marathons.

Edward E. Taylor placed a treadmill in the teachers’ lounge that can be used by all staff members. Staff also are encouraged to drink more water and eat healthy snacks. Employees have been known to challenge each other to reach specific fitness goals. Many sport the popular Fitbit devices to measure how much walking they have done.

Gadsden Elementary also focused on staff wellness. In addition to wellness screenings, Gadsden opened a salad bar and offered fun exercise programs such as First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move initiative.

Horrell Hill’s No. 1 goal at was to have students and staff move more and sit less. The school set up a walking area on the field that PE and other classes could use throughout the day. Staff met monthly to talk about ideas to improve the school’s atmosphere and environment to make it more “move-friendly.” Students were encouraged to celebrate birthdays and other family get-togethers with more outdoor activities and healthier snacks. PE classes focused on increasing cardiovascular activities and building students’ upper body strength.

Pine Grove’s FUN Run was a huge success. Not only did parents and students walk/run together for 20 minutes, sponsors donated healthy snacks for each student. The Prepared Pandas Walking Club had more than 100 students walk every day for 20 minutes before class. Students are encouraged to walk at recess, and many teachers and administrators walk during and after school. A dance block party before Spring Break was a big hit with students who got to show off their best dance moves. A Biggest Loser Get Fit Contest, which included a $200 cash prize, helped 13 staff members lose 80 pounds.