Photo from AHA

Cary, NC – Wake County Public Schools Superintendent Tony Tata joined Advocates for Health in Action (AHA) June 7 to announce the 2011 Brains and Bodies Award recipients for Wake County elementary and middle schools striving to improve the health of students and staff.

“We congratulate our winning schools and applaud their outstanding efforts to emphasize the connection for our students and staff between maintaining a healthy lifestyle and its positive impact on achieving a high-quality education,” said Superintendent Tony Tata.

Winning Schools

Davis Drive Elementary, Mills Park Elementary and Northwoods Elementary each won a Bronze Award and Farmington Woods Elementary earned an Honorable Mention for their efforts to increase physical activity and nutrition opportunities.

Four schools won the Gold Award designation:  A.B. Combs Elementary, Fuller Elementary and Underwood Elementary in Raleigh and St. Mary Magdalene Catholic School in Apex. West Lake Elementary in Apex won the Silver Award, and seven area schools earned the Bronze Award, including the three Cary schools, Hunter Elementary, Swift Creek Elementary, Wildwood Forest Elementary in Raleigh; and Olive Chapel Elementary in Apex.

Each of the award winners received a framed  “AHA Brains and Bodies Award: Healthy Students Grow Here” certificate to display in their school as well as a gift card to be used towards wellness initiatives. Gold award winners also received a banner to hang in the school and resources for a school celebration.

“We are so impressed with the innovations and programs of all these winning schools,” said Laura Aiken, director of AHA and WakeMed Community Outreach. “What really set the Gold Award winners apart, though, is that they each have a Wellness Committee involving staff and parents and they are working hard to enforce their school wellness policy. That is really key in maintaining and sustaining a comprehensive approach to health and wellness in the schools.”

About Advocates for Health in Action (AHA)

AHA created the Brains and Bodies Award to recognize schools that are meeting and exceeding local wellness policies, including the WCPSS Wellness Policy.

AHA’s team of nutrition and physical activity experts scored and evaluated applications and conducted site visits at a number of schools that applied. All school applicants will receive feedback on the good work they are doing and the team’s recommendations for ongoing improvement at each school.