Three local schools meet “Healthier US School Challenge”

For meeting the “Healthier US School Challenge” last year, three Haywood County School cafeteria managers were honored at the April 14 school board meeting. Pictured are (from left) East Side Cafeteria Manager Joyce Sikes, East Side Assistant Principal Yvette Blue, Haywood Elementary Cafeteria Manager Jan Scallions, Sunny Hill Cafeteria Manager Sissy Lott, Sunny Hill Principal Dorothy Bond, and Haywood Schools Nutrition Director Alison Pyron. Only nine schools in the state received this recognition.

USDA recognized three schools in Haywood County for nutrition excellence. East Side Elementary Cafeteria Manager Joyce Sikes, Haywood Elementary Cafeteria Manager Jan Scallions, and Sunny Hill Cafeteria Manager Sissy Lott have successfully met the Challenge for 2008 and have been awarded the silver award that promotes and supports the principles of the Challenge. Alison Pyron, Haywood County School Nutrition Director, submitted the formal application for these schools, identifying the criteria set forth by the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) believes that schools should be taking a leadership role in helping students learn to make healthy eating and active lifestyle choices. Healthier US Schools can be certified as Bronze, Silver, Gold or Gold of Distinction Schools, according to standards established by USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service. The objective is to recognize schools that voluntarily take specific steps to improve their programs and to encourage other schools to follow their lead.

Currently, there are only nine schools in Tennessee that have received recognition for their superior performance in creating healthier school environments through their promotion of good nutrition and physical activity. Nationally, there are about 300 schools that have achieved these prestigious awards.