The HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) was established to recognize schools that are creating healthier school environments through their promotion of good nutrition and physical activity. Four levels of superior performance are awarded: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Gold of Distinction. Schools across Texas have made big changes to promote and encourage healthy eating and exercise behaviors- complete the application and get the recognition that you deserve!
The application and additional supporting documents can be accessed from the Team Nutrition Web site or at www.fns.usda.gov/tn/HealthierUS. Special features of the Web site include:
- Easy to complete online application
- Thorough list of Frequently Asked Questions
- Guidance on Vegetables, Dried Beans and Peas
- Whole Grains Resource
- Competitive Foods Calculator and more!
In March 2010, USDA announced these new aspects of the HealthierUS School Challenge:
- Schools keep their certification for four years, rather than having to re-certify after two.
- Bronze certification no longer requires average daily participation or food production records.
Congratulations to the Texas schools which have achieved Gold, Silver or Bronze Status in the HealthierUS Challenge, an award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recognizing schools that are creating healthy school environments by promoting good nutrition and physical activity. Certification period is for two years and is indicated by the dates in parentheses.
Dallas Independent School District (02/09 - 02/11)
Erasmo Seguin Elementary School (Gold)
Irving Independent School District (02/09 - 02/11)
M.C. Lively elementary School (Gold)
Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District (11/08 - 11/10)
Duryea Elementary School (Gold)
Hairgrove Elementary School (Gold)
Tipps Elementary School (Gold)
Warner Elementary School (Silver)
Klein Independent School District (09/08-09/10)
Eiland Elementary School (Gold)
Epps Island Elementary School (Gold)
Kaiser Elementary School (Gold)
Klenk Elementary School (Gold)
Nitsch Elementary School (Gold)
Klein Independent School District (08/08 - 09/10)
Ehrhardt Elementary School (Bronze)
Greenwood Forest Elementary School (Bronze)
Kohrville Elementary School (Bronze)
Krahn Elementary School (Bronze)
Kreinhop Elementary School (Bronze)
Metzler Elementary School (Bronze)
Mittelstadt Elementary School (Bronze)
Northampton Elementary School (Bronze)
Roth Elementary School (Bronze)
Schultz Elementary School (Bronze)
Bellville Independent School District (7/09-6/11)
O-Bryant Primary School (Gold)
West End Elementary School (Gold)
Bellville Independent School District (8/08-7/10)
O-Bryant Intermediate School (Gold)
Join us in congratulating all these outstanding achievements. With such high distinctions, these food service programs characterize the "Healthy Students = Healthy Families" approach TDA strives to foster. We hope their success inspires more schools to follow their lead.
Schools can become certified as either a Gold, Silver or Bronze School, depending on meeting certain criteria. To see all the certified schools or learn more about the programs please visit http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/HealthierUS/silvergoldtn.html
Recognizing Nutrition Excellence in Schools
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has established the HealthierUS Schools Challenge to encourage schools to take a leadership role in helping students learn to make healthy eating and active lifestyle choices.
HealthierUS Schools can be certified as either Silver or Gold Schools, according to standards established by FNS. To be certified, a school must:
be an elementary school be enrolled as a Team Nutrition School offer reimbursable lunches that demonstrate healthy menu planning practices and principles of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and that meet USDA nutrition standards provide nutrition education to students provide students with physical education and the opportunity for physical activity maintain an Average Daily Participation of school enrollment for reimbursable lunches of at least 62 percent for Bronze or 70 percent for Silver and Gold Schools adhere to guidelines established by FNS for foods served/sold in schools outside the National School Lunch Program. FNS will award schools that successfully meet the Challenge with an appropriate recognition plaque. In addition, the recognized schools will be listed on the Team Nutrition Web site, may be chosen to be a part of special FNS media events and may receive other awards that promote and support the principles of the Challenge.
For additional information on the HealthierUS School Challenge, including instructions and criteria, visit http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/HealthierUS/index.html.
To contact the Food and Nutrition Division's Nutrition Coordinator call (888) TEX-KIDS or write squaremeals@texasagriculture.gov.
