UPPER MARLBORO, MD – The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, founded by the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation, recently recognized Prince George's County for transforming 22 public schools into a healthier place for students and staff.
Out of the 250 schools honored across the country, PGCPS received five Silver and 17 Bronze National Recognition Awards. The schools will be presented with the awards during the Healthy Schools Program Forum in Little Rock, Arkansas on October 20-21.
“PGCPS is committed to creating a culture of healthy lifestyles choices in our schools,” said Dr. Alvin L. Crawley, Interim Superintendent of Schools. “We will continue to promote healthy nutrition, wellness and physical activity for all of our students.”
To earn a National Recognition Award, schools must improve their nutrition services and physical activity programs to meet or exceed standards set by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program.
“The award-winning schools have demonstrated diligence and creativity that serve as an inspiration for other schools locally and nationally,” said Ginny Ehrlich, Chief Executive Officer of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.
The Healthy Schools Program is supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
PGCPS Silver Recipients: Bond Mill ES, Scotchtown Hills ES, Highland Park ES, Robert Gray ES and Baden ES.
PGCPS Bronze Recipients: Green Valley Academy at Edgar Allen Poe, Beltsville Academy, Buck Lodge MS, Calverton ES, Mt. Rainier ES, University Park ES, Gladys Noon Spellman ES, Riverdale ES, Bradbury Heights ES, Avalon ES, Benjamin Stoddert MS, Brandywine ES, Melwood ES, Panorama ES, Thurgood G Marshall MS, Valley View ES and Laurel High School.
About the Alliance for a Healthier Generation
The goal of the Alliance is to reduce the nationwide prevalence of childhood obesity by 2015, and to empower kids nationwide to make healthy lifestyle choices. The American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation joined forces in May of 2005 to create a healthier generation by addressing one of the nation’s leading public health threats – childhood obesity. The Alliance works to positively affect the places that can make a difference to a child’s health: homes, schools, restaurants, doctor’s offices and communities. For more information please visit: HealthierGeneration.org.
About the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nation's largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to improving the health and health care of all Americans, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, measureable and timely change. For 40 years the Foundation has brought experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it serves. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, the Foundation expects to make a difference in your lifetime. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org.