News From The Principal

One of the many focal points of Hanawalt programming is a holistic approach to physical fitness and nutritional awareness. To this end, various programs including PE4Life, Healthy Schools Partnership (HSP), Kidstriders, AM Sports Club (students), and PM Fitness Club (staff) have been incorporated into our daily routine. As Mr. Baker states, “Healthy bodies make healthy minds.” During the current academic year, HSP has prompted the creation of the Hanawalt Elementary Energy Balance Team. This team is pleased to announce that Hanawalt meets the Healthier US Schools Challenge Bronze Level status. This exciting achievement was in part facilitated by Registered Dietitians (RD’s) working at Hanawalt as Nutrition Coaches for the second year, implementing a unique, comprehensive nutrition and energy balance program called, Energy Balance 4 Kids (EB4K). The RD Nutrition Coaches formed an Energy Balance Team with school Stakeholders to make improvements in the school wellness environment, including menu suggestions that align with USDA’s Healthier US Schools Challenge criteria, which brings national recognition as well as a monetary award to the school. RD Nutrition Coaches, Tanya Hargrave-Klein, Heather Cox and Crystal Morrison, are also implementing the innovative 12-week EB4K curriculum to 3rd – 5th grade students as well as the 2nd grade E=Energize program monthly for 3 months. The “surround sound” EB4K delivery includes the students interacting weekly with the RD Nutrition Coach in the classroom, PE class and in the cafeteria. Messages are reinforced with posters throughout the school, daily health announcements, newsletter articles, Family Fun Night events and small group individualized RD Coaching in PE. The EB4K curriculum is evidenced based and its effectiveness has been evaluated by researchers at the University of California-Berkley’s Center for Weight and Health. The EB4K program was developed by the American Dietetic Association Foundation with funding support from the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation.

As a result of these efforts, it is our hope that students are equipped to thrive in an educational setting that places a premium on academic, artistic, and physical excellence. Please continue to support Hanawalt’s efforts toward becoming a model educational campus by promoting healthy and active habits at home.