White City schools earn Governor’s Healthy School Award

Governor Kathleen Sebelius announced today that White City schools have earned a Healthy School Award as part of the Governor’s HealthyKansas program.

“The staff and students at White City schools have shown innovation in creating ways to teach and promote healthy behaviors,” Sebelius said.

White City schools participate in the Coordinated School Health Program, jointly administered by the Kansas Department of Education and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Examples of the schools’ efforts include:

• Creating ‘Fun Food Fridays’ – a 15-minute teaching segment about one of the main food groups the last Friday of each month in all grades;
• Developing a staff wellness program;
• Promoting healthy food choices in vending machines; and concession stands at school events;
• Incorporating healthy nutrition practices in the K-12 student curriculum; and
• Implementing a tobacco-free policy for the district.

Recognition ceremonies will be held Friday, Feb. 29 at 10:30 a.m. at White City Schools, 414 E. Goodnow, White City. Roderick L. Bremby, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, will present the award on behalf of Governor Sebelius. Sec. Bremby will present a certificate of recognition from the governor and a HealthyKansas flag to representatives of White City’s elementary, junior high and high school.  

Governor Sebelius launched the HealthyKansas initiative in November 2004 as a comprehensive effort to control health care costs, improve the quality of health care and raise awareness of the dangers of obesity in children and adults.

HealthyKansas is focused on encouraging children in schools, adults in the workplace and seniors in their community to make simple, but powerful lifestyle changes. To date, 109 schools across the state have been honored for building cultures that promote increased physical activity, good nutrition, and the avoidance tobacco among students, staff and the community.

To learn more about how you can make healthy changes or to complete an online pledge, go to www.healthykansas.org.

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