Record 84 Hawaii public schools to receive wellness awards

A record number of Hawaii public schools will receive “Excellence in Wellness” awards this spring.

Since 2013, public schools have received the award based on their outstanding implementation of the Department of Education’s Wellness Guidelines, a set of standards for foods and beverages provided to students that include goals for school-based wellness committees, health and physical education, and other practices that support student health.

According to the annual Safety and Wellness Survey (SAWS), a total of 84 Hawaii public elementary, middle, and high schools met over 90 percent of the Wellness Guidelines during the 2014-2015 school year, up from 45 schools in 2013-2014. View the full report here.

“Excellence in Wellness” banners will be presented to school principals during annual fitness meets and at recognition events statewide. The awards are co-sponsored by the Hawaii Department of Health and Action for Healthy Kids.

“The increase in support for wellness in our schools is notable and we hope that this momentum will continue” said Director of Health Virginia Pressler, M.D. “This data demonstrates the successful partnership we have with the DOE to strengthen implementation and monitor the Wellness Guidelines as we move forward.”

The Hawaii Departments of Education and Health jointly administer the SAWS annually to track implementation of the Guidelines. Results indicate a consistently high level of achievement with survey respondents meeting an average of 82 percent of the DOE Wellness Guidelines in 2014-2015.

Highlights from the 2014-2015 SAWS include:

• All school meals (100 percent) continue to meet or exceed federal nutrient standards;
• Health and Physical Education classes align with the Hawaii Content and Performance Standards III at 94 percent and 97 percent of schools, respectively; and
• Students have at least 20 minutes a day of supervised recess, during which they are encouraged to be physically active at 84 percent of schools.

“Healthy habits not only result in a student’s physical wellness but also contribute to a successful pathway in college and career readiness,” said Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi. “Implementing wellness practices is an important element to ensuring that students are prepared for life after high school. Congratulations to all the schools that have made this a priority.”

The Wellness Guidelines, SAWS, and public reporting of SAWS data fulfills requirements of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act (2004) and the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (2010).

Schools Achieving Excellence in Wellness in School Year 2014-2015 (SAWS score of 90 percent or higher):