JANUARY HEALTH CHAMPION 

DeSoto County Schools are setting the example when it comes to healthy lifestyles.  This is especially true for Walls Elementary School, recipient of the January Health Champion recognition by the DeSoto County Community Health Council.  Nominations were taken on possible recipients and Walls was nominated.  The first recognition was the City of Hernando Parks & Recreation Department in December 2007.  “We are proud that we (Community Health Council members) can offer a monthly recognition to someone who is making a difference in the health of our children and the adults who touch their lives.” (Peggy Linton, Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi) 

How does Walls Elementary School promote healthy lifestyles for their students and staff? 

The school has been the recipient of several grants totaling $427,300 which have assisted in developing new programs and incentives as part of their commitment to health and wellness.  They have established a School Health Council and together they work to see that the programs are sustained. 

Principal Rebecca Kelley is all about health and wellness and the initiatives underway are proving this.  The Alcoa Foundation, with support from the local Alcoa CSI, assisted in funding the construction of a walking trail.  On any day you might see the students in a ‘power walk’ with Principal Kelley.  Thanks to the Bower Foundation the school has added a school nurse and the Blue Cross & Blues Shield of Mississippi Foundation provided playground exercise equipment (Profit Fit America) complete with curriculum

Since Project Fit America was added physical education in the areas tested have improved.  For example the modified pull up improved 9.1%, sit ups improved 29.6% and ¼ mile run improved 23.4%.   

Playgrounds are all about fun but they also promote exercise and Walls has a new playground, to the delight of every student.    Other success stories include:

§         Participation in the USM Grant on water policy replacing sodas with water and fruit juice

§         Take Ten – Delta Hope Project

§         Baking oven where ‘baked foods taste like fired” 

and the Staff Wellness Initiative is a major component in keeping the motivation and momentum going.  The staff has participated in a Weigh Down, lab testing and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Walk.  Her staff has lost more than 400 pounds in 11 weeks through a Weight Watchers program at the school.  Her staff have lost more than 400 pounds in 11 weeks through  

The school has incorporated the eight components of Coordinated School Health:

1. Healthy school environment: The physical and aesthetic surroundings and the psycho social climate and culture of the school.
2. Health services: Services provided for students to appraise, protect and promote health.
3. Health education: A planned, sequential, K-12 curriculum that addresses the physical, mental, emotional and social dimensions of health.
4. Physical education: A planned, sequential K-12 curriculum that provides cognitive content and learning experiences in a variety of activity areas such as basic movement skills; physical fitness; rhythms and dance; games; team, dual and individual sports; tumbling and gymnastics; and aquatics.
5. Counseling, psychological and social services: Services provided to improve students' mental, emotional and social health.
6. Nutrition services: Access to a variety of nutritious and appealing meals that accommodate the health and nutrition needs of all students.
7. Family and community involvement: An integrated school, parent and community approach for enhancing the health and well-being of students.
8. Health promotion for staff: Opportunities for school staff to improve their health status through activities such as health assessments, health education and health-related fitness activities.

Rebecca Kelley accepted the January Health Champion Recognition on behalf of the school at the regular meeting of the DeSoto County Community Health Council.  The Community Health Council is a component of the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi’s GET A LIFE! initiative.  Nominations for the February Health Champion are being taken by the DeSoto County Community Health Council.  This can be an individual, organization, school, church, or business, basically anyone who is improving the health of our citizens.  Tell us why the nominee should be recognized and submit by fax to 662.449.5002 or email to plinton@cfnm.org.  To learn more about GET A LIFE! go to www.kidsgetalife.org or call 662.298.0027.

Pictured from left to right:  Victoria Penny, Dr. Heather Chambliss, Sarah Edisto, Jim Robinson, Walls Elementary School Principal Rebecca Kelley, Assistant Principal Dr. Dennis Haslip, Dr. Mary Cathey, David Creech and Cynthia Coleman