Smyth Road Elementary School earns national healthy school recognition

Smyth Road and school district staff, students, and Mayor Gatsas pose with
the HealthierUS bronze award banner 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that Smyth Road Elementary School has earned a bronze HealthierUS School Challenge: Smarter Lunchrooms award. Smyth Road is the fourth in Manchester and joins the ranks of an elite group of schools across the country recognized for excellence in their integration of health, nutrition and fitness education. Only about 7% of the nation’s schools have achieved bronze, silver, gold, or gold of distinction HealthierUS status.

In 2016, Hillside and McLaughlin middle schools both received bronze awards; Beech Street Elementary School earned a silver award last year.

The HealthierUS challenge is a key component of a national initiative to end childhood obesity within a generation. Schools participating in the challenge voluntarily adopt USDA standards for food they serve at their schools, agree to provide nutrition education, and provide opportunities for physical activity.

To celebrate Smyth Road Elementary School's accomplishment, a representative from the USDA presented MSD School Food and Nutrition Services director Jim Connors, school administrators and staff with a banner and plaque.