By Carol Reeves
Gazette-Times | Posted: Wednesday, June 4, 2008 12:00 am
At first glance it looked like students at Franklin School had misspelled the colorful sign they painted for their special guest at Tuesday's school-wide assembly - "Well-come Susan Castillo."
But once the assembly began, it was obvious the students knew exactly what they were trying to say. Castillo, the state superintendent of schools had come from Salem to present the school with one of three 2008 Oregon School Wellness Awards.
"This is a very exceptional school and I'm here to show the light on the wonderful work you've been doing," Castillo said, after being introduced by Corvallis School Superintendent Dawn Tarzian.
Castillo said Franklin - along with Abernethy Elementary School in Portland and the Joseph School District in eastern Oregon - were honored by the Oregon Department of Education's first awards for "exemplary implementation" of wellness policies.
Each winner received a $2,500 cash prize from the Oregon Dairy Council, a certificate of recognition and a large banner announcing their award for display at school.
Principal Gerry Kosanovic accepted the check on behalf of the students and announced to enthusiastic applause that the money would be used to buy a new piece of playground equipment this summer called "The Escalator."
School wellness policies are required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in school districts receiving federally-funded school meals. "Schools that are committed to their wellness policies have benefited from more positive and alert students, reduced school absenteeism and improved student performances and test scores," Castillo said.
What was distinctive about Franklin's program was it involved many people from the community and made wellness a nutrition an integral part of each school day, she said.
"We need to pay more attention to nutrition in our schools and this district is doing a good job with that," Castillo said.
The hallmark of the Franklin's wellness program is a "Mix It Up" activity held every few months during lunch. For Tuesday's final activity, the children identified the dairy products at lunch - an activity capped off by vanilla ice cream and strawberries donated by Fred Meyer.
The school's wellness policy also includes nutrition education in the classrooms, an emphasis on more physical activity and participation in the district's "Great Start" program, which offers a free breakfast to all students once a month.