FIENBERG-FISHER K-8 STUDENTS HEAD TO WASHINGTON TO
INFORM CONGRESS ABOUT HEALTHY CHANGES IN SCHOOL

Fienberg-Fisher K-8 Center is one of 23 schools nationwide participating in the event.

MIAMI – As part of the nationwide Healthy Schools Program, two students and a chaperone from Fienberg-Fisher K-8 Center will visit Washington, D.C., on April 21 and 22 to talk with lawmakers about how their school is working to reverse childhood obesity, one of today’s most urgent threats to the health of children and families. 

Jasmine Rose and Sebastian Castillo, both 6th graders, will join students from more than 20 other U.S. schools to speak with members of Congress about their school’s efforts to provide more nutritious foods, increase opportunities for physical activity and establish staff wellness programs.  All visiting schools are part of the Healthy Schools Program, an initiative of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a joint venture between the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation.

While in Washington D.C., Jasmine and Sebastian will meet with the offices of Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Senators Bill Nelson and Mel Martinez to share their stories about the healthy changes taking place at Fienberg-Fisher and provide a personal invitation to these members of Congress to visit the school during the Memorial Day Congressional Recess.  Accompanying the two students will be Jessie Maguire-Stebbenne, Fienberg-Fisher’s full-service coordinator.

The other schools attending the program represent Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

The Healthy Schools Program is working to prevent childhood obesity by making schools healthier places to learn and work. The program offers participating schools on-site and online support, including best practice guides, Web-based seminars, and tools to promote physical activity and healthy eating among students and staff. The support is available at no cost to any school in the country.

Schools also have the opportunity to be nationally recognized for their achievements at platinum, gold, silver and bronze award levels.  Last year, President Bill Clinton recognized 28 schools for their efforts at the Healthy Schools Forum in Little Rock, Ark.

For more information, visit www.healthiergeneration.org/schools.

# # #

08-JJS/283/HD

Back to News Releases