Starting a Wellness Team?  Read more about how your school can create, maintain, and expand upon a culture of wellness.

As you are getting ready for another exciting school year, and planning for new initiatives to improve academic achievement, why not make a commitment to improving the health and wellness for your students and staff? Read on to learn more about what Zone Health and WorkHealthy America^SM can do for your school!

As educators we all know the importance of involvng children and their families in school activities, but how can parental involvement impact school nutrition? Researchers in California identified parental involvement as a key factor in improving school nutrition.  Read on to learn more about healthy fundraisers and how parents can get involved in changing the school food environment. 

In an effort to "practice what they preach" and create healthier communities, all 5 YMCA locations in Asheville, North Carolina have removed sodas and "unhealthy beverages" from their vending options. Read more about what CEO for YMCA, Paul Vest, has to say about this new direction.

Researchers in Sweden found that students who received physical education (PE) 5 days per week achieved higher grades compared to students with less PE. Read on to learn more about the study and how the U.S. and North Carolina measure up!  Also check out the link to our Zone Health resources page to learn more about what your school or district can do to get involved and improve PE for your students. 

Photo Credit: Will Okun

Congratulations to Franklin Elementary School for becoming North Carlolina's first Zone Health Award winning school! Check out all that they accomplished during the 2011-2012 school year and their plans to continue their commitment to student and staff wellness using their $1000 Zone Health Award.

Action for Healthy Kids is seeking schools to apply for nutrition grants for the 2012-2013 school year, and has committed to funding a minimum of 20 schools in North Carolina. Read more for helpful tips and application steps for a successful grant application!

At 9 o’clock in the morning, teachers often face a class full of sleepy students. At Franklin Elementary, however, students get up out of their desks and move every morning for a Fit Moment. The amazing thing is - each Fit Moment is broadcast to all classrooms via Skype from the school gym!

Read more for a summary of the new USDA School Lunch Standards, resources from the NC Department of Public Instruction, and steps to make these changes in your school or district!

The 2010 Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act requires several revisions to all Local Wellness Policies in the United States.  We want all of you to be aware of these changes, as well as the benefits that USDA will be offering schools thanks to the new law. Read more for details, and let us know if you have any questions about how to implement these changes successfully.

Congrats to all North Carolina winners of the HealthierUS School Challenge! These schools are receiving national recognition for creating healthy environments by promoting physical activity and nutrition for their students. Read more about this award and the North Carolina winners!

A recent study from Yale found that companies marketing sugary drinks have made promises to cut back on youth advertising, but their tactics are as aggressive as ever.  Read more to know the facts!

For four years, the program Youth Fit For Life has served hundreds of kids in western North Carolina, with the ultimate goal of reducing and preventing childhood obesity in Buncombe and McDowell counties.  This year the program reached an amazing 850 students across 19 afterschool sites - and measured some very impressive results. 

On September 23rd, 90 participants from 18 western NC school districts came together with a mission to build healthier schools for students.  Read more to find out how our state's schools, nonprofits, and government organizations are working together to fight childhood obesity.

A recent article on the Shape Your World Organization website highlights the strong school-community partnership going on in Pitt County, North Carolina.  Read more to find out how citizens and schools alike are benefiting from joint use of school grounds.

Two weeks ago, I was able to speak with Deirdre Moyer, the Student Health Coordinator for Rockingham County Schools. Deirdre has been in her job for only one year, but has already received awards for her district-wide wellness work. Read more for her tips!

We want to know your ideas, worries, and experiences related to opening your school for community physical activity.  Have you ever opened your school before for community use? Did you have a good or bad experience?  Are you considering this option in the future?  We want to learn from you.

For decades, loads of research has been conducted to find out exactly how to sell foods and products to consumers.  Now psychologists, economists, and marketing specialists are focusing all that knowledge and research on the cafeteria line to encourage teachers and students to make healthier choices.  The good news?  It's very cheap - and seems to be working.

Election season is upon us and candidates compete for our attention - and our votes.  Election Day at Ira B. Jones Elementary School in Asheville, NC gives students two opportunities: to get a lesson in the voting process and civic education, and to taste some delicious fruits and vegetables.

When it comes to children walking and biking to school, parents and school staff have many valid safety concerns. To alleviate these worries, National Center for Safe Routes to School has compiled several very helpful tip sheets for both parents and kids in order promote safe, active transport to school. 

Teachers from George Watts Montessori School in Durham, NC have developed 30 free lesson plans that incorporate NC Standard Course of Study requirements for math and science into each lesson taught in the garden.

"Energizers" are free, ten-minute activities that incoroprate movement and physical activity into valuable classroom time.  You can use them to enhance almost any lesson plan - from science and math to music and language arts.