This week's healthy schools highlights

Poudre schools get grant to implement P.E. standards

The question has been raised time and again: do school-aged children receive enough physical education in schools? This also raises another question: With the growing concerns about childhood obesity coupled with worries about the proposed state K-12 budget cuts, how do schools today ensure students get proper physical education and still keep all core programs in tact? Read more in the Coloradoan.

Food: Six things to feel good about

Item six is this New York Times blog features “The edible school lunch” and it mentions Ann Cooper, head of food services in the Boulder Valley School District and an EdNews Parent expert.

Denver school gets Fit 4 Colorado School Challenge check

A Denver school is this month’s Fit 4 Colorado School Challenge winner. CBS4’s Jennifer Zeppelin made the announcement at Ellis Elementary School. Watch this CBS4 report.

A look at the inaugural Boulderganic Award winners

The four original “Green Star” schools in Boulder Valley – Douglass Elementary, High Peaks, Horizons K-8 and BCSIS – received the Boulderganic Award for sustainability. Read more about what these schools are doing in this special edition of the Boulder Weekly.

Bustin’ a move to keep from bustin’ a brain

When Camryn Johnson gets out of bed in the morning, she just can’t find the energy to wake up. “I’m always tired,” the fifth-grader from University Schools said. Read more in the Greeley Tribune about an innovative new program that gets middle schoolers moving.

Lawmakers hammer out compromise on PE bill

A bill that would make physical education mandatory in schools got a step closer to becoming law on Tuesday. A compromise was hammered out that allowed it to pass. Read this CBS4 report.

Fittin’ It In 5K hits Highlands Ranch April 30

Dougco’s Fittin’ It In 5K run/walk, scheduled for Saturday, April 30, at Highlands Ranch High School, 9375 Cresthill Lane,  is fast approaching. Schools will receive proceeds from all participants who select their school at registration. In addition, the school with the most participants will receive $1,000 from Boulder Running Company.

Eight classrooms will also partner with the Colorado Chefs Association to offer a nutritious food choice to the racers. The classes will select their post-race food choice based on its nutritional value, presentation and participant satisfaction. The classes will explore the nutritional components of their food choice, and study where the food is grown.  The classes are very excited about this hands-on learning experience and will be responsible for creating and packaging the food, creating recipe cards, and decorating their table based on their theme.

About our First Person series:

First Person is where Chalkbeat features personal essays by educators, students, parents, and others trying to improve public education. Read our submission guidelines here.