PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON PRAISES MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS’ PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND NUTRITION EFFORTS

(MIAMI) – President Bill Clinton visited Miami Edison Middle School Jan. 21 and praised the efforts of Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) in promoting better nutrition and physical education for students.  “If every school district had the dedication they have here in Miami-Dade County, we would have a very bright future,” Clinton stated.

Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho welcomed the former president for an announcement about a new multi-industry voluntary agreement that brings together leading food manufacturers, group purchasing organizations and technology companies to help America’s schools serve healthier meals at more affordable prices. As a result of these agreements, more than 30 million students across the country will have access to healthier school meals – including at least 14 million students who currently participate in the free and reduced lunch program.

Students and staff from 33 Miami-Dade County public schools were invited to the event as National Recognized Schools by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.  Founded in 2005 by the American Heart Association and William J. Clinton Foundation, the Alliance works to positively affect the places that can make a difference to a child’s health: homes, schools, doctor’s offices and communities.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools has helped set the standard for a healthy school environment.  This is reflected in terms of the food served in school cafeterias as well as the physical activity that is part of schools’ core curriculum. These initiatives work together to support the health of the children and increase their ability to learn.

Among innovative programs that support healthy students is MDCPS’ farm/school connection, where fresh green beans, corn, and other vegetables grown in South Florida are served in school cafeterias.  Schools have their own prolific vegetable gardens and food service managers and teachers are able to use the bounty of the gardens in the cafeteria.  Some of Miami’s best chefs have joined the effort by training food service managers in creative ways to make healthy, tasty meals.

Miami-Dade schools provide unique physical education challenges, as well, including rock climbing, exer-gaming, yoga, and kayaking–incentives to motivate students to become healthy for a lifetime.  Staff members also model the behavior that is expected of students and many employees recently participated in a Day of Health and Wellness with the Miami-Dade County Health Department.

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