Eden Hall Upper Elementary School and Hance Elementary School were once again named to the 2023 list of America’s Healthiest Schools. This is the second year in a row both schools have been awarded the designation. The recognition, awarded by Alliance for a Healthier Generation, celebrates 781 schools’ dedication to supporting the health and well-being of students, staff and families.

Eden Hall was recognized for Enriching Health Education, Bolstering Physical Education and Activity and Supporting School Health Services.

The district’s in-depth program review process ensures that health is embedded in all grade levels in the elementary program and looks for areas of opportunity.

“We engage in a cycle of year-long study speaking with exemplar districts, schools, programs and educators; reviewing evidence-based research; holding town halls to collect feedback from our parents, students and community; analyzing our own course outcomes and other relevant data; and speaking with community connections,” said Kristen Justus, assistant superintendent for elementary education and curriculum. “This process was conducted initially with health and physical education during the 2016-2017 school year and will be conducted again throughout the course of our 2023-2027 strategic plan. An action plan was developed which improved the quality outcomes and engaging instruction within our health and physical education programming.”

Wellness is integrated throughout the curriculum, and all grade levels have health and physical education classes as part of the encore rotation. Eden Hall offers an adaptive physical education course once a week. Some students use a second teacher, aide, physical therapist or occupational therapist for assistance during class. Tasks and environments are modified to meet student needs as appropriate.

“Ensuring that all students have appropriate access to 45 minutes of health and physical education a week, as well as daily access to unstructured play and physical activity during recess are critical aspects of the district’s overall approach to student wellness and establishing lifetime habits of healthy choices and opportunities for exercise and brain breaks, which ultimately support the learning in the classroom,” Justus said.

Hance was awarded for Increasing Family and Community Engagement and Bolstering Physical Education/Physical Activity.

In order to foster family and community engagement and to encourage two-way communication, Hance offers multiple opportunities for parents and guardians to be involved.

“At Hance, we love to work closely with all parents and guardians,” said principal Paula Giran. “Whether it is through PTO events, principal meetings, conferences or classroom volunteers, family engagement is key to building a positive and safe environment for all students.”

The school regularly discusses school engagement policies with the community at parent group meetings, PTO meetings and district-wide PTO presidents’ and principals’ meetings. Hance also seeks to understand more about social drivers of health, which are discussed at district-level town hall meetings, PTO meetings and parent-teacher conferences.

Students in grades one through three participate in health and physical education classes twice per week using a curriculum consistent with national and state standards. The school follows a written procedure mandating at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day, including at least 20 minutes of recess each school day. All students participate; accommodations might include a paraprofessional’s, aide’s or therapist’s assistance, modification of the task or environment to meet student ability, visual and verbal cues, or proximity strategies.

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