Schools recognized for ability to meet healthier school challenge

CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. —  The meals offered at District 47’s elementary schools now are more nutritious, and students are learning more about nutrition and spending an average of 45 minutes a week doing physical activities.

The criteria are part of a voluntary federal program called the HealthierUS School Challenge: Smarter Lunchrooms, which is an ongoing effort to curb childhood obesity by recognizing schools that create a healthy environment.

District 47 created a pilot program at Husmann Elementary School and received recognition in 2011, earning a bronze level award and triggering the expansion of the program to the district’s other eight elementary schools.

Those other schools – Canterbury, Coventry, Glacier Ridge, Indian Prairie, North, South, West and Woods – were recently notified that they also have achieved the bronze level, which comes with $500, a plaque and a banner for each school.

District 47 joins two other area districts in being recognized for their work in this area.

All of Woodstock School District 200’s elementary schools made the list, seven of them earning the silver level and the remaining five garnering bronze.