Central Elementary and Rose Hill Elementary Named Colorado Healthy School Champions

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (April 10, 2012) — Thirty-two schools throughout Colorado were selected as “Healthy School Champions” as part of a statewide program that recognizes and rewards schools that are healthy. Adams County School District ’s Central and Rose Hill were among those selected and on April 4th both were recognized as awardees at Colorado Legacy Foundation’s 2012 Healthy Schools Summit. The Colorado Commissioner of Education, Robert Hammond, presented all of the Champions with a grand total of $42,500 in awards. Both Central and Rose Hill received $500 and Rose Hill also won a $2,500 salad bar in a raffle.

Champion schools completed an online Score Card that identified how they are ensuring that the connection between health and learning is present and thriving, using a coordinated approach to health and wellness. “We know that healthy students learn better,” said Dr. Helayne Jones, President and CEO of the Colorado Legacy Foundation. “These Score Card Winners serve as a model for the state. We are proud to honor their leadership in health and wellness.”

“We are very lucky to work in a school district that focuses on healthy students,” said Samara Williams, Principal at Rose Hill. “In fact, all of the schools in Adams 14 are doing amazing work in the area of school wellness. It is such an honor for both Central and Rose Hill to be recognized for their schoolwide efforts to make school a healthier place for the students of Commerce City . On behalf of the staff at both schools, I'd like to sincerely thank the Colorado Legacy Foundation for honoring them with the Healthy School Champion Award." Gov. Hickenlooper also presented Cindy Veney, Nutrition Services director for Adams 14, with Colorado Legacy Foundation Leadership Award for the "Capacity Building is Critical."

The 2012 Healthy Schools Summit is one of the highest profile school wellness events in Colorado . This third summit brought together nearly 500 teachers, district leaders, health experts, policymakers, and community stakeholders, focusing on policies and best practices for creating, enhancing and maintaining healthy, safe and welcoming schools for all students. For more information about the summit, visit www.colegacy.org.

The 2012 Healthy School Champions’ Breakfast and Healthy Schools Summit was sponsored by the Colorado Health Foundation, and the Western Dairy Association, and supported by the Colorado Department of Education and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

About Adams 14:
Adams 14, a nationally recognized leader in education innovation, is Colorado ’s 23rd largest school district and serves more than 7,000 students annually. Nestled in the historic community of Commerce City , Adams 14 strives to ensure academic success for every student by providing highly effective classroom instruction, supplemental enrichment opportunities and parent/family collaboration opportunities. Under Superintendent Dr. Susan Chandler’s leadership, the District is implementing a strategic plan to improve student achievement so that 80 percent of students assessed will be on grade level by 2014, by ensuring that each classroom has a dynamic, standards-based teacher who provides powerful 21st century learning experiences. To learn more about Adams 14, visit adams14.org.