Kent County Schools Receive National School Health Award

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SCHOOLS RECOGNIZED FOR NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROGRAMS

Kent County Public Schools gained national attention recently when four of its schools achieved a higher level of distinction in the HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Millington Elementary School improved from Bronze to Silver, Henry Highland Garnett Elementary School improved from Gold to Gold of Distinction and both Rock Hall Elementary School and Worton Elementary School improved from Silver to Gold. In all, six Kent County schools have received a HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) award. Kent County Middle School also received the Silver and Galena Elementary School the Bronze awards. Sponsored by USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), HUSSC is a voluntary national certification initiative for schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. It supports First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign by recognizing schools that are creating healthier school environments by promoting nutrition and physical activity. 

The Maryland State Department of Education and USDA commend these schools for their leadership and team work to improve the quality of the foods served and for promoting their physical activity program.  To acknowledge their achievement, each school will receive a HUSSC award plaque, a banner to display, and a monetary award.                                                 

The names of the schools are posted on the HUSSC awardees list on the Team Nutrition HUSSC website at http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/HealthierUS/awardwinners.html

Kent County is one of only four school systems in the State with HealthierUS schools and the only school system in Maryland with a school earning a Gold Award of Distinction. The Maryland State Department of Education is encouraging all Maryland school systems to apply for this certification which would establish Maryland as a leader in student health and wellness.

For more information on Maryland’s School Nutrition Programs, contact MSDE’s School and Community Nutrition Programs Branch at 410-767-0214 or visit www.eatsmartmaryland.org.

CONTACT:   Margaret Ellen Kalmanowicz, 410-778-7127