Eldon Middle School secures silver award

Only 2 Missouri schools recognized for health program

Eighth-grader Jaylan Bartels was the first to complete seven Scrabble physical activities and correctly spell the secret word during the fitness club's activity Friday at Eldon Middle School.
Eighth-grader Jaylan Bartels was the first to complete seven Scrabble physical activities and correctly spell the secret word during the fitness club's activity Friday at Eldon Middle School.

ELDON - The Eldon R-1 School District has worked hard to incorporate a variety of wellness changes and new health opportunities for students and staff during the last few years.

Now, it has received national recognition for those efforts. The Alliance for a Healthier Generation recently gave Eldon Middle School the 2016 National Healthy Schools Silver Award.

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation noted the school met stringent standards set by the Alliance's Healthy Schools Program for serving healthier meals and snacks, getting students moving more, offering high-quality physical health education and empowering school leaders to become healthy role models.

The school district received a Healthy Schools Healthy Communities five-year grant in 2013, and it helps with health and wellness improvements at Eldon's South and Upper Elementary schools and middle school. Shea Caudel, Eldon School student wellness coordinator, said the grant allots approximately $100,000 each year to help make additional improvements.

Terry Atteberry, who is the Missouri Healthy Schools Program manager, works with 84 different schools to provide tools and resources to achieve goals outlined in their action plans to make their schools a healthier environment.

Atteberry and Caudel said each school's wellness committee, which includes students, staff and community members, begins the school year with an assessment. They must look at six different modules in their assessment: school health and safety policies and environment; health education; physical education and physical activity; nutrition services; health promotion for staff; and family and community involvement. They then look at what has been accomplished, goals that need to be met and other items to meet criteria to not only win the award but also provide a healthier environment at the school.

The Eldon Middle School received the bronze award last year, and this year's silver award showcases how the facility's action plan implementation has paid off. According to the Alliance news release and Caudel, the middle school instituted a school-wide walking club, allowing students to get moving before the school day begins. During the day, students participate in physical activity breaks between lessons and can select certain sessions, such as fishing, yoga or the fitness club, to keep them energized.

"One of the main things that makes Eldon Middle School stand out and has made the difference is offering physical education every single day. That does not happen in a lot of schools," Atteberry said. "That is a struggle for many elementary schools in receiving a bronze medal, meeting the minutes required for physical education. It is a national standard put in place with minutes established to say that is what is best for our kids. They don't have to offer it every day, but it is very important."

Two days are also designated as Walk to School days at the Eldon Middle School, with Oct. 7 and Nov. 4 scheduled this school year. The South Elementary and Upper Elementary will have Walk to School Day on Oct. 5.

Students, staff and parents also enjoy walking and biking trails within their community, and because of the new biking trail, the middle school started a bike club to teach students about bike safety and practice obstacle maneuvers before using the track.

Caudel said the middle school is incorporating nutritious foods and services for students with a salad bar and seasoning bar available in the cafeteria.

"The Eldon Middle School has gone above and beyond in offering nutritional food. They have a wonderful food service director that has bought into the idea to help students. The head cook at the middle school uses produce from the school's garden (tended to by the garden club), using the produce and incorporating it into the salad bar," Atteberry said.

Caudel said they are looking at changing policy to make food not a reward or punishment and adding additional wellness activities before school at the two Eldon elementary schools. She hopes the two elementary schools may earn a bronze award next year, and the middle school will receive gold.

The Eldon Middle School joins only 57 other schools in receiving a silver medal in the United States and Puerto Rico. This year, 14 schools received gold and 256 received bronze awards, with 33,000 schools nationally that work with the alliance.

"Eldon Middle School and a school in the Raymore-Peculiar School District (near Kansas City) were the only schools in Missouri to receive an award this year," Atteberry said, noting close-by schools in Versailles and Jefferson City are very close to receiving recognition for their improved healthy school environments next year.