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Desmares clinches Bronze in HealthierUS Challenge
Francis A. Desmares School has won the Bronze Award in the Healthier US School Challenge. On October 4, representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the NJ Department of Agriculture attended an All-School Meeting where school officials were presented with the award and a $500 check during the special assembly.
The goal of the Healthier US School Challenge is to improve the health of the nation’s children by promoting healthier school environments through good nutrition and physical activity. Schools that take on the challenge must improve the quality of the foods served, provide students with nutrition education, physical education and opportunities for physical activity.
A significant factor in earning the award is the Desmares garden. Established over the last two school years, the garden supports many different curriculum units and health topics that engage students. Each classroom takes part in planting and maintaining a section of the garden, which creates hands-on learning opportunities for students. Through Maschio’s Food Service, our district’s food vendor and a participant in the Farm to School program, vegetables harvested from the Desmares Garden are incorporated into school lunch choices for children to experience and enjoy. Students also sample fresh veggie recipes prepared by guest chefs’ live cooking demonstrations through “Chefs Move to School,” which is part of Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” program. In addition, the garden promotes connections among our community, as produce grown in the summer is donated to the Flemington Food Pantry and Hunterdon Hispanos.
As of September 6, awards have been granted to over 4,000 schools in 48 states. This School Challenge was initiated in 2004. In February 2010, the HealthierUS School Challenge was incorporated into the National Let’s Move campaign. The Desmares School students and staff are very proud to win this award. Well done, Desmares!
The goal of the Healthier US School Challenge is to improve the health of the nation’s children by promoting healthier school environments through good nutrition and physical activity. Schools that take on the challenge must improve the quality of the foods served, provide students with nutrition education, physical education and opportunities for physical activity.
A significant factor in earning the award is the Desmares garden. Established over the last two school years, the garden supports many different curriculum units and health topics that engage students. Each classroom takes part in planting and maintaining a section of the garden, which creates hands-on learning opportunities for students. Through Maschio’s Food Service, our district’s food vendor and a participant in the Farm to School program, vegetables harvested from the Desmares Garden are incorporated into school lunch choices for children to experience and enjoy. Students also sample fresh veggie recipes prepared by guest chefs’ live cooking demonstrations through “Chefs Move to School,” which is part of Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” program. In addition, the garden promotes connections among our community, as produce grown in the summer is donated to the Flemington Food Pantry and Hunterdon Hispanos.
As of September 6, awards have been granted to over 4,000 schools in 48 states. This School Challenge was initiated in 2004. In February 2010, the HealthierUS School Challenge was incorporated into the National Let’s Move campaign. The Desmares School students and staff are very proud to win this award. Well done, Desmares!