HSC Recognizes Innovations for Wellness & Environment
Innovation Showcase Spotlights Unique Products & Services
Healthy Schools Campaign is pleased to recognize three innovators in the 2009-2010 Innovation Showcase! Congratulations to:
HSC conducted a nationwide search for new and innovative products and services that help create healthier school environments. The search focused specifically on two areas: the environmental impact of a school, and the way that a school supports healthy eating and physical activity for students.
Companies from all corners of the marketplace were invited to share their unique inventions and innovations.
We are pleased to recognize three innovators:
Activeion Pro is a hand-held spray bottle that converts tap water into a powerful cleaner and sanitizer.
This enables facility management teams to clean surfaces in schools without using chemicals. ActiveIon "gives true meaning to 'innovation,'" said showcase judge Joe Agron of American School & University. "It's especially applicable in the education environment -- a fascinating product." Learn more » |
Canteen Waterwerkz vending delivers healthy chilled beverages in an environmentally friendly way using a machine that mixes water-based drinks in re-sealable pouches, chills and serves them in seconds.
It serves good-for-you drinks with less packaging and more energy efficiency than a conventional vending machine. "It's exciting to see a product design that takes into account both kids' health and the health of our environment" said showcase judge Mark Bishop of HSC. |
Peaceful Playgrounds is a do-it-yourself kit that allows schools to transform their playground or schoolyard with colorful, active games.
The kit helps teachers create play environments that reduce bullying and injuries while increasing physical activity. Peaceful Playgrounds is "an excellent innovative idea on a number of levels," said showcase judge Jay Snyder of the Association of School Business Officials International. "It makes recess more of a learning and creative experience for the students. It's safe for the students and the environment. And it's easy to clean, which is very important to the custodians, directors of facilities, and to the school and school districts in general." Learn more » |
The products spotlighted in the Innovation Showcase were selected by a judging panel with representatives of HSC, American School & University and the Association of School Business Officials International. The judges selected products based on the creativity of the innovation and the potential positive impact. Learn more at www.healthyschoolscampaign.org/?innovation.
Senate Committee Passes Child Nutrition Proposal Lacking Adequate Funding for Healthy School Food
Send a Letter Supporting More Money for Better Food
School food advocates have been eagerly awaiting action from the Senate on the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act, legislation that determines school food policy and resources for the next five years. Today, the Senate agricultural Committee approved The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 proposed by committee chair Sen. Blanche Lincoln. While this bill includes some strong policy provisions, it does not include sufficient funding for healthier school food.
The funding currently proposed in the Senate is less than half of that proposed by President Obama and barely enough to acknowledge rising food costs, much less improve quality or expand access. It amounts to an increase of merely $0.06 per meal.
This bill is moving quickly and we need Congress to hear from advocates across the U.S. that increased funding for better school food must be a priority.
We must act now. Click here to send a letter asking your senators to increase the funding for schools to provide the healthful meals that support children’s health and learning.
Thank you for being part of this important and timely effort for children’s health.
Attention, Students! Deadline Approaching for Cooking up Change National Healthy Cooking Contest
The March 26 deadline is quickly approaching for high school and college students to submit recipes for the Cooking up Change National Healthy Cooking Contest!
HSC is teaming up with the National Farm to School Network to present this national version of our signature event, Cooking Up Change.
Teams of high school and college students are invited to design their own versions of a healthy school lunch: a meal that tastes great, meets high nutrition standards, and incorporates at least one locally-produced item. Teams will enter online in a qualifying round of competition, and six teams chosen from this national pool of applicants will compete in the finals in May 2010 at Taking Root, the 5th National Farm to Cafeteria conference.
Please join us in making this exciting new event a success! To learn more about forming a team or helping spread the word about the contest, click here or contact HSC's Sara Klinzing.
HSC will host our annual flagship Cooking up Change culinary competition in Chicago on Nov. 4, 2010. Save the date!
To learn more and get involved in Cooking up Change, visit www.cookingupchange.org.
Registration Open for HSC's 2010 Chicago Marathon Team
Registration is now open for the 2010 Bank of America Chicago Marathon!
This world-class athletic event – to be held this year on 10-10-10 – brings together more than 45,000 runners and 1.5 million cheering spectators from across the globe. HSC invites you to be part of the Healthy Schools marathon team!
To learn more about the HSC marathon experience, check out 2009 team member Michelle Miller's recent blog. She writes:
"As a school nurse, I work for healthy schools, healthy kids, and a healthy future so why not run for healthy schools, healthy kids, and a healthy future? What I didn't anticipate was how much this would help ME. During a months-long training program, I often have periods when my motivation lags. Some Sundays, it's just hard to get out of bed for those long runs. Sometimes after work, I just feel too tired to run those intervals. I'm pretty disciplined and I usually manage to get myself out there -- but when I'm running for HSC, it's like I've got thousands of little supporters giving me that extra push! I just imagine all of those children who are benefiting from every single mile that I cover. Now, it's hard to think about running a marathon and not doing it for charity!"
You can read Michelle's full story here »
To learn more or join the team, click here or contact HSC’s Alicea Miller at 312-419-1810.
Help HSC Meet the $25,000 Challenge
HSC is excited to announce a $25,000 challenge grant from an anonymous donor! To meet the challenge, we must raise $25,000 in gifts from new donors, or gifts in higher amounts from previous donors. This is an amazing opportunity to leverage $50,000 in crucial support for our work. Please consider making a first-time gift to support HSC, increasing your annual gift, making a personal gift if you usually give through your company, and asking your friends, family and colleagues to support the organization.
Your gift will help us do the important work of making schools healthier places in which to learn and work.
|
