Mission, Texas- Mission Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) continues to receive accolades for being among the Healthiest Schools in America. The district had 15 campuses receive the America’s Healthiest Schools Distinction and three stand out campuses also received the Family Engagement Distinction. The Alliance for a Healthier Generation along with Kohl’s have honored these schools for their efforts in creating healthy environments for kids.
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation is an organization that works to empower kids in developing lifelong, healthy habits. In order to earn an award, the schools had to meet or exceed rigorous standards set by the Alliance’s Healthy Schools Program by serving healthier meals and snacks, getting students to move more, offering high-quality physical and health education, and empowering school leaders to become healthy role models. There are three award levels schools can earn such as bronze, silver, or gold and are based on the standards they achieve.
America’s Healthiest Schools Distinctions earned in 2021 are: Alton Elementary- Bronze, Alton Memorial Jr. High- Bronze, Bryan Elementary- Silver, Cantu Elementary- Bronze, Waitz Elementary- Bronze, Castro Elementary- Silver, Escobar Rios Elementary- Bronze, Midkiff Elementary- Bronze, Leal Elementary- Bronze, Mims Elementary- Bronze, Mission Collegiate High School-Silver, O’Grady Elementary- Bronze, Pearson Elementary- Bronze, Salinas Elementary-Bronze, and Veterans Memorial High School- Bronze.
In addition to their status as one of America’s Healthiest Schools, the Family Engagement Distinction awardees demonstrated their commitment to building strong relationships with caregivers and families to support student health needs. Honorees have gone above and beyond to increase family engagement in creating healthy environments not only at home but at school as well.
The three schools also selected with first-of-its kind Family Engagement Distinction are: Castro Elementary, Midkiff Elementary, and Mission Collegiate High School.
“I am extremely proud of these schools for their recognition, this only means that our students are committed to developing lifelong, healthy habits,” said Martina Carrillo, coordinator for Physical Education and Health. “It also demonstrates that our staff is working hard to offer high-quality physical and health education that can only benefit our students.”
Healthier Generation’s “America’s Healthiest Schools” list remains one of the country’s longest-running, nationwide recognition programs honoring schools that are implementing best practices that support children’s learning and development. The Family Engagement Distinction only further demonstrates the importance of the connection between school and home by appreciating our valuable role caregivers and families that are essential to children’s health.
Any school in the country can join the Alliance’s Healthy Schools Program at no cost. More information about the Alliance for a Healthier Generation is available online at, www.healthiergeneration.org.