Two Lexington County Schools Recognized by USDA for Outstanding Nutrition Environment; First Schools in South Carolina to Win Silver Awards

Batesburg-Leesville, S.C. (May 22, 2008)  USDA Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Deputy Under Secretary Kate Houston presented Silver Certificates and Banners to the School District Superintendent and Principals of Batesburg-Leesville Primary and Batesburg-Leesville Elementary School for their schools meeting USDAs HealthierUS School Challenge at a high level in a ceremony today at Batesburg-Leesville Elementary School.  The two winning schools are the first in South Carolina to be recognized for this achievement.

Im pleased to recognize these schools for achieving Silver-level status, Houston said.  We all applaud Batesburg-Leesville Primarys and Batesburg-Leesville Elementarys commitment to making available healthful food options for students throughout their campuses, their commitment to nutrition education, and their commitment to physical activity.  Batesburg-Leesville Primary and Batesburg-Leesville Elementary Schools have set a high standard of excellence.  Im thankful to those who made these achievements possible  they are making a positive difference in the lives of our nations children.

USDA has issued a challenge to schools throughout the nation to make changes to their school nutrition environment, improve the quality of the foods served, and provide students with more nutritious, healthy choices.  Both Batesburg-Leesville Primary School and Batesburg-Leesville Elementary School successfully met that challenge by taking specific steps to improve their programs, address obesity, and encourage other schools to follow their lead.  The Silver Award, one of USDAs highest, has been received by only 32 schools in the nation.

It is an honor to be recognized by USDA, said Susan Cassels, School Food Service Director for Lexington County School District Three.  We believe in serving school children quality meals.  With the support of the administrators, teachers, cafeteria manager and staff, physical education specialists, counselors, parent volunteers and all other team players, both Batesburg-Leesville Primary School and Batesburg-Leesville Elementary School exemplify teaching healthy lifestyles.

These schools achievements are very significant because obesity is a growing concern for school children in the United States.  USDA believes that schools should be taking a leadership role in helping students learn to make healthy eating and active lifestyle choices and commends these South Carolina schools for leading the way in improving the school nutrition environment.

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The Dorchester II Schools Single unit held a tag sale in April 5.  In spite of the rains, over $200 was raised to help the March of Dimes. ~~~KODOS are extended to this Chapter for their dedication towards helping others.
   ~~article and pictures submitted by Debi Hiemstra
     

NEWS FOR DORCHESTER 2---District of Excellence Distinction Award

Dear Ray,  (Dr. Ray Bahadori)

Dorchester Dist 2 has been selected as a recipient of the District of Excellence Distinction this spring. Your district is one of six districts that have received this prestigious distinction this year. You will be receiving your acknowledgement letter in the mail, including copies of the letters that we have sent to your superintendent, chief state education officer, and the SNA state affiliate president in your state. I have attached the customizable press release mentioned in the letter.

In addition to the press release, you may also use the District of Excellence logo on marketing and promotional materials. I have attached logo usage guidelines that outlines how the logo might be used. We ask that you complete the bottom portion for specific materials that you intend to create and return this form to me either electronically or by fax. This is very similar to the form that SNA uses for the National School Lunch Week logos, and the process is the same.

 SNA has District of Excellence pins available that you may wish to purchase for your staff or other school district stakeholders to wear. The pins are approximately 1 inch x 1/2 inch in shape and feature the red District of Excellence key surrounded by a gold border. The pins are $5 each. If you would like to purchase pins at any time, please contact Ivana Salinas at isalinas@schoolnutrition.org or (800) 877-8822 ext. 149.

 Your district will be recognized on the District of Excellence list on SNA's website at http://www.schoolnutrition.org/Keys.aspx?id=1159 for the 3 year period that the Distinction is valid. In addition, at this year's Annual National Conference, the District of Excellence program will be featured during the fourth general session on Wednesday, July 23, 2008. We will feature a list of the 6 six new Districts of Excellence this year on the screen during this program.

 Again, congratulations! Please let me know at any time if you have any questions or would like any assistance with marketing and communication efforts.

 Sincerely,

Julie Skolmowski--School Nutrition Association

As the Executive Director of the School Nutrition Association of South Carolina, I am available to attend your local Single Unit Chapter Meetings to offer any assistance you may need.  Please feel free to contact me about attending your meetings AND/OR just if you have questions regarding the Association and especially your membership information.  I will be glad to assist........Joyce Lovett....snasc@bellsouth.net or 803-782-0951