Three Oregon schools earn wellness awards

The Oregon Department of Education announced the 2018 Oregon School Wellness Awards this week.

Madison Elementary (Coos Bay School District), McNary Heights Elementary (Umatilla School District), and Vern Patrick Elementary (Redmond School District) won for their programs and policies promoting healthy student and staff behavior. Strategies included recess before lunch, school gardens and efforts to increase wellness activities for families.

“There is clear data that student health and student learning are connected,” ODE Manager of School Nutrition Programs Heidi Dupuis said in the news release.

The awards, which were started in 2008, come with a $2,500 prize, a banner and a certificate of recognition.

For more information on what school boards need to know and do, see the Student Wellness Handbook on OSBA's Member Resources webpage.