Early Success Stories

The Office of Healthy Schools launched the “Health is Academic” initiative to promote health and wellness in Mississippi’s public schools in 2004. The goal of the initiative is to support and promote nutrition and increased physical activity that impact student achievement.

Through a competitive grant process, schools were selected to receive a one year grant to form a School Health Council, conduct a pre- and post-assessment, and implement at least one sustainable intervention.

The Health is Academic initiative is proving to be a successful investment in achieving healthy school environments. Many schools and districts throughout Mississippi are now making improvements in nutrition and physical activity:

• At the Amory Middle School in the Amory School District a water policy was adopted to allow for water consumption in the classroom to encourage proper hydration. 
  
   
• A new snack program was introduced at Hernando Elementary School in Desoto County Schools where apples, oranges and bananas were sold to students for 25 cents.
  
  
• Clarksdale Municipal School District and Margaret Green Junior High School of the Cleveland School District completely revived their school breakfast programs. Madison Station Elementary School in the Madison County School District focused on promoting their school breakfast program– doubling participation from 157 to 314 students.
  
  
• All soft drinks were removed from vending machines and replaced with healthier choices to include water, milk, sports drinks and 100% juice at Magnolia Junior High School in the Moss Point School District and in Marshall Elementary School in the Carroll County School District.
  
  
• 30 minutes of physical activity are now a part of every student’s day at Shadow Oaks Elementary School in Desoto County Schools.  And students receive special recognition from the Principal by joining her in a power walk at recess.
  
  
• Alexander Junior High School with the Brookhaven School District implemented intramural basketball and volleyball sports programs and walking and aerobic/dance activities before school each day.
  
  
• At Pass Road Elementary School in the Gulfport School District each day students spent 5 minutes in their class room performing assigned physical activities (bicep curl, jumping jacks, squats, etc). Teachers reported that these “FANtastic Movement Moments” helped students become more alert and better able to focus.
  
  
• Deep fryers have been completely removed from all the school cafeterias in the Columbus Municipal School District as part of its commitment toward healthier food preparation. All elementary schools in the Starkville School District have made the same commitment.
  
  
• Physical Education Instructors were hired to provide PE classes at almost all the schools in the Clarksdale Municipal School District.
  
  
• Grenada Middle School in the Grenada School District implemented a morning exercise routine for the entire school via school-wide video telecasting.  These exercises took place while standing beside desks in each classroom.
  
  
• At W.L. Smith Elementary School in the Petal School District teachers worked with students to set personal goals for a healthier lifestyle and monitored progress weekly.
  
  
• Amory Middle School received the “Active Lifestyle Model School Award” after successfully participating in the President’s Fitness Challenge. 
  
  
• In order to involve parents in school wellness Charleston Middle School of the East Tallahatchie School District and Natchez-Adams School District sponsored “Family Fun and Fitness Nights”.
  
  
• At Stern Enhancement School with the Greenville Public Schools, students were taught how to make healthy food choices. Students and faculty have reported losing weight and some students have been telling parents what to buy in the grocery stores.