Montgomery County Action for Healthy Kids, formerly known as The Montgomery County Coaltion for Healthy Schools (name change 9/6/06), has been quite busy since our inception in September of 2005. This list summarizes our accomplisments:
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Three members attended the Healthy Schools Summit in September 2005.
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Two members presented information on childhood obesity and wellness policy essentials at a Montgomery County School Board meeting in September of 2005.
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Two members met with the division Superintendent, Curriculum Director, School Foods Director, and Financial Director to discuss plans for development of the Local School Wellness Policy. The Superintendent agreed to give that responsibility to the Montgomery County School Health Advisory Board (SHAB) and invited two Coalition members to join the SHAB in this endeavor.
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The Montgomery County Coalition for Healthy Schools was officially established after this meeting.
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Two Coalition members, with the help of the larger Coalition, have played an instrumental part in providing resources, expertise, insight and ideas to other members of the SHAB. These members continue to work on SHAB sub-committees organized to address the physical activity, school foods and nutrition education components of the Local School Wellness Policy.
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We have actively written and emailed division PTA/PTO Presidents to inform them about the wellness policy and the work of the Coalition.
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We have written 2 letters to the editor of the Roanoke Times Current, one in support of School Board members up for re-election and another highlighting the mission of the Coalition and inviting participation.
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We have written to churches and the academic community to highlight the mission of the Coalition and invite participation.
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Since its inception, the Coalition has grown from 3 members to 35 members.
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Coalition members have been interviewed by Roanoke Times and News Messenger reporters and articles written which feature the work of the Coalition.
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Coalition members have written school newsletter articles focused on school wellness.
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Members of the Coalition have surveyed parents on which kinds of programs they would like to see in the schools to help children at risk for overweight.
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Coalition members are gathering resources to provide to parents with overweight children.
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Members of the Coalition are preparing to survey elementary school teachers about rewards used in the classroom to create an avenue through which to discuss non-food rewards.
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Coalition members are working closely with their PTA/PTO’s to establish walking clubs and other health focused initiatives.
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The Coalition has WON a Virginia Parents' Action for Healthy Kids Mini-Grant for $4000! The money will be used to establish a "non-food reward" program in Montgomery County Schools, a Walking Club for children, teachers and staff and to investigate the feasibility of after-school programming focusing on healthy nutrition choices and physical activity. Part of the funding will also be used to provide inservices for parents, teachers and school administrators prior to the implementation of these exciting programs!!
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Members of the Coalition addressed the School Board regarding the Wellness Policy when it was to be voted on and were in attendance when it was unanimously approved.
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Six schools (Elliston-Lafayette Elementary, Price's Fork Elementary, Harding Avenue Elementary, Gilbert Linkous Elementary, Christiansburg Primary School, and Blacksburg Middle School) are participating in the VPAFHK grant project.
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Coalition's name was officially changed to Montgomery County Action for Healthy Kids 9/6/06.