Healthy Students, Better Minds

SBISD’s Child Nutrition Services (CNS) Department and 25 elementary schools served by the district’s food services staff have won a total of $12,500 through the Healthier U.S. Schools Challenge (HUSSC). Bronze level awards were issued by the group for school promotion of nutrition and campus physical activities. As a winner, each local campus will be awarded $500 to spend as it sees fit.

CNS leaders and staff joined U.S. Department of Agriculture representative Hazel Hill at the Jan. 28^th Board of Trustees meeting for a special award presentation.

“This award recognizes SBISD's commitment to providing healthy meal options and encouraging healthy lifestyles for our students.  It also illustrates the efforts of the CNS staff and support of the community towards ensuring the nutritional health of our students through the meals we serve every day,” Child Nutrition Services Director Chris Kamradt said.

U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s Hill told Trustees that some SBISD students may rely on school breakfasts and lunches to meet their daily nutritional needs.

“I came from a family of nine children myself,” Hill said. “I know the importance of what a good and nutritious school meal means in the life of a child. I know that some of your children appreciate this work that you do very much. These may be the only nutritious meals that some children will receive during the day.”

SBISD schools winning Bronze level awards include Buffalo Creek, Bunker Hill, Cedar Brook, Edgewood, Frostwood, Hollibrook, Housman, Hunters Creek, Meadow Wood, Memorial Drive, Nottingham, Pine Shadows, Ridgecrest, Rummel Creek, Shadow Oaks, Sherwood, Spring Branch, Spring Shadows, Terrace, Thornwood, Treasure Forest, Valley Oaks, Westwood, Wilchester and Woodview elementaries.   

The SBISD elementaries join only 4,953 schools nationwide to win such awards through the program. The nation has almost 100,00 public schools.

The Healthier U.S. Schools Challenge has also been endorsed by First Lady Michelle Obama through a national, activities-focused campaign known as Let’s Move!

In addition to Director Chris Kamradt, other staff members who gathered Monday for the presentation and announcement during the Board meeting included Katie Kattner, dietetic supervisor; Gayle Kellar, operations coordinator; Katrina Pettaway, area supervisor; Rocio Camarillo, area supervisor; Debra Guggenheim, payroll clerk; and Jaquelyn Marsh, who is cafeteria manager at Valley Oaks Elementary School.