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18 MIAMI-DADE SCHOOLS RECOGNIZED BY PRESIDENT CLINTON FOR CREATING ‘HEALTHY SCHOOLS’ MIAMI - President Bill Clinton will recognize over 100 schools from across the country today at 4:30 p.m. in New York City for creating a healthy environment for students and staff through the Healthy Schools Program. Eighteen Miami-Dade County public schools will be receiving the honor. Three schools received silver medals, and 15 schools received the bronze medal. At Blue Lakes Elementary, 12 teachers joined together to start the program back in January. They recruited two parents, who are also personal trainers, to come out three days a week after school to “whip them into shape.” They all pitched in to cover the cost. Rachel Justiano said, “I look forward to every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday because I get to spend time with my fellow coworkers and we do something good for ourselves. We’re so proud of each other.” Nearly one in three children and adolescents in the U.S. are obese or overweight. In response to this epidemic, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation - a joint partnership of the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation - established the Healthy Schools Program in 2006 to help schools develop and implement policies and practices to promote healthy eating and increase physical activity. The Healthy Schools Program takes a comprehensive approach to helping schools create healthier environments by working with them to improve access to healthier foods; increase physical activity opportunities before, during and after school; enhance nutrition education; and establish school employee wellness programs. Healthy Schools are eligible to earn a National Recognition Award based on their implementation of a range of healthy eating and physical activity programs and policies. Today’s ceremony will also be live, via streaming Webcast at www.HealthierGeneration.org. Editor’s Note: See attached photo and list of honored schools. # # # 09-JJS/012/TC/GC
Rachel Justiano poses with Certificate received
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