Principal Laura Reyes and representatives of IMPACT Early College High School earned a spot on Alliance for Healthier Generation’s 2023 list of America’s Healthiest Schools for meeting best practices that support the health and well-being of students, staff, and families.
Contributed Photo
by: Amanda Kennington, GCCISD Healthy Community School Coordinator
On October 13-14th, Leah Abbate, Alamo Elementary Principal, and Amanda Kennington, GCCISD Healthy Community School Coordinator, attended America’s Healthiest School Leaders Summit in honor of three Goose Creek CISD schools named America’s Healthiest Schools.
“It was an honor to represent Alamo and Goose Creek at the Healthy Leaders Summit in Washington D.C. Education encompasses more than reading, writing, and arithmetic, and this recognition highlights the amalgamation of our staff, student, and community prioritizing the development of the whole child,” said Mrs. Abbate.
Harlem Elementary, IMPACT Early College High School, and Alamo Elementary were three of 781 schools nationwide to be named as America’s Healthiest Schools for the 2022-2023 academic year. The annual recognition program, awarded by Alliance for a Healthier Generation, celebrates schools for implementing policies and practices to promote health and well-being.
Harlem Elementary was recognized in the topic area for implementing local wellness policy.
IMPACT Early College High School was recognized in three topic areas, including:
Alamo Elementary was recognized in four topic areas, including:
The district School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) continually measures campus compliance with the GCCISD Wellness Policy. In 2023, the GCCISD SHAC, with support from Be Well™ Baytown, implemented a wellness plan and utilized a Whole Child Wellness Award to recognize 12 schools that went above and beyond to engage in best practices using the whole child model. Be Well Baytown is an initiative of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center sponsored by ExxonMobil. Mrs. Kennington led efforts to ensure campus participation in the Alliance for a Healthier Generation “Healthy Schools Program,” which empowers school communities to promote healthy living. School Health Champions, with administrative support, provided evidence that exemplify best practices in topic areas related to coordinated school health. Through the program, three campuses were named America’s Healthiest Schools.
Mrs. Kennington, who also serves as the GCCISD SHAC Facilitator, said, “Goose Creek CISD is honored that three of our schools received national recognition for modeling best practice in whole child health for students, teachers, staff, and community. We remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering environments where all members of the school community can learn and thrive.”
To learn more information visit the GCCISD Local Wellness Policy.