For immediate release - Ferguson, MO

Cool Valley participated in the Busch Stadium Flash Mob with targeted groups of children. The Wellness Champion thought it would be advantageous to include the rest of the school on this day. The day was AMAZING!! First through sixth grades all danced for their health in this event which centered on physical movement, music, and fun. Wellness Champion, Cindy Prinster, the school's physical education teacher, organized the event to include the studetns that did not participate in Busch Stadium's event earlier in the year. Parents, teachers, and community members also participated in the event. 

P.E. Teacher - Cindy Prinster 

Cool Valley Elementary "Dances for their Health"

Cool Valley does the "Cha Cha Slide" 

Never let it be said that knowledge only comes from adults. Peyton Wertz, a girl scout seeking her health and fitness badge, is a bright young lady with a wealth of helpful knowledge. A major part of the growth of scouts, remain in their ability to "earn" accomplishments as they learn. Well, Peyton should not only receive her health and fitness badge, but she should also earn a "community helper" badge if there is such a thing. Her thoughtfulness and willnessness to help others is truly an example that other children and adults should memic. Peyton Wertz, the Ferguson-Florissant School District and the Wellness Department thanks you for your dedication and your contribution to make your community healthy.

Cedric M. Brown

Wellness Coordinator

Peyton's Healthy Resource Contribution

https://onlinemasters.ohio.edu/masters-athletic-administration/fun-fitness-activities-for-kids/ 

The Ferguson-Florissant School District held the Grand Opening for the newly designed Low Ropes Course at Little Creek Nature Area earlier this month. The turnout for the event was a success. The honorable Tom Schneider, Florissant's Mayor and the honorable Mayor of Ferguson, James Knowles, both were in attendance for the joyous occasion. One of the co-author's of the Healthy Schools Healthy Communities grant responsible for the funds to build the low ropes course, Laura Modrusic, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services was also in attendance. Also, in attendance, Garry Beals, Assistant Superintendent of Alternative education spoke about the uses his department mentors intend to implement with the district's middle school students to encourage problem-solving skills and team-building techniques to promote positive learning outcomes. Dr. Joseph Davis, the district's superintendent served as the event's guest speaker. Dr. Davis' words to the FFSD students in attendance from Bermuda, Central, Cool Valley, Griffith, and Vogt elementary schools encouraged all students to use the new ropes course as an opportunity to learn new and exciting ways to solve problems and create new thinking avenues. Dr. Davis went on to say how facilities like the low ropes course at Little Creek Nature Area will help the district create sustainable learning for the students of FFSD for many years to come.

FFSD Awarded Healthy Schools Healthy Communities (HSHC) Grant- Schools as the Hub

Ferguson-Florissant School District was one of 33 school districts across the state awarded funding. Participating HSHC schools are Bermuda, Central, Cool Valley, Griffith, and Vogt Elementary.

The Healthy Schools Healthy Communities initiative is funded by the Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH).  Funding allows staff at schools, as well as members of the community to work together to increase opportunities for physical activity and heathy eating to ultimately reduce childhood obesity. Participating schools conduct wellness assessments and create action plans in order to meet outcomes with the long-term goal of reducing the incidence of childhood obesity in their districts. School wellness committee action plans address school foods, physical education/activity, health education, school policy, and family engagement. MFH provides a resource guide of approaches and programs to assist in the development of concrete action steps.

https://mffh.org/our-focus/childhood-obesity/healthy-schools-healthy-communities/

Ferguson-Florissant Schools Named to Alliance's list of America's Healthiest Schools

Central and Vogt Elementary schools both received the 2017 Bronze National Schools Award. The Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s National Healthy Schools Award is given to showcase and acknowledge schools that have implemented changes to create healthier school environments. To earn the award, schools must meet best practice criteria established by the Alliance’s Healthy Schools Program Expert Panel and outlined in the Healthy Schools Program Framework of Best Practices.

Healthy Schools Award Framework: https://www.healthiergeneration.org/_asset/l062yk/07-278_HSPFramework.pdf

FFSD Schools Awarded Let's Move Active Schools

Bermuda and Central Elementary Schools have been honored with the 2016 Let’s Move! Active Schools National Award for their outstanding efforts in creating an active school environment.  Let’s Move! Active Schools is part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative. The Let’s Move! Active Schools National Award is the nation’s top physical education and physical activity distinction for K-12 schools and celebrates a school’s commitment to providing students with at least 60 minutes a day of before, during and after school physical activity. Only 544 schools across the country achieved this honor in 2016.

“The physical education instructors/wellness champions did an amazing job with their assessments and executing action plans that benefited Ferguson-Florissant School District students,” said Cedric Brown, the district’s wellness coordinator. “Additionally, I would like to thank the principals of Bermuda and Central for their support and dedication to the Healthy Schools Healthy Community grant.”

http://www.letsmoveschools.org/latest-stories/2016/9/7/lets-move-active-schools-announces-2016-national-award-recipients

Six FFSD Schools Excel in "Fuel Up to Play" Health Challenge

Six schools in the Ferguson-Florissant School District have reached Touchdown status in this year’s Fuel Up to Play 60 (FUTP60) program.  The schools – Central, Halls-Ferry, Holman, Johnson-Wabash, Lee-Hamilton and Wedgwood Elementary Schools – completed the six steps of the FUTP60 program, which encourages children to make healthy eating choices and engage in physical activity 60 minutes per day.  The National Dairy Council and National Football League sponsor FUTP60.

Steps to reaching Touchdown status include implementing a healthy eating and physical activity play as outlined by FUTP60.  The goal of this is to make lasting, healthy changes in the school’s wellness environment.  Each school must also identify a team comprised of students and staff who are responsible for identifying, coordinating and executing activities of the program that includes conducting a school wellness investigation to assess how the school can improve its health and wellness efforts.

For achieving Touchdown status, students and their program advisors attended a Rewards Summit in early April at Vetta Sports, a recreational facility in the St. Louis area.  The fun-filled day focused on healthy eating and physical activities, along with a guest appearance by Brandon Williams of the Baltimore Ravens.  Halls Ferry, Johnson-Wabash and Wedgwood were door prize winners of a football signed by Williams.  Halls Ferry, Lee-Hamilton and Wedgwood also received grant money (up to $4,000 per school) to use for their FUTP60 programs.   All of the schools have been recognized nationally by FUTP60.

https://www.fueluptoplay60.com/