Alliance for a Healthier Generation hosted hundreds of school and district leaders earlier this month at the America's Healthiest Schools Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C. and several of the award winners were from North Texas.
IDEA Achieve College Prep in Haltom City, which serves nearly 1,100 students from kindergarten through 10th grade, was honored as one of America's healthiest schools. With a focus on physical, mental, and social-emotional well-being, the school was honored for its exemplary efforts in multiple topic areas."
"In order for (our students) to educate themselves, our kids need to be healthy and able," said Melanie Carrasquillo, a Licensed Practical Nurse at IDEA Achieve College Prep. "Working for IDEA Public Schools, we are proud to be the healthiest school district in America."
Carrasquillo said IDEA Achieve College Prep goes beyond benefiting its own community and actively engages with the local community as well. IDEA holds a food drive for families in need, providing essential support in the form of dried goods and other vital resources.
One of IDEA's innovative programs is the Junior Farm Club. The program gives students hands-on experience in cultivating and preparing their own food, emphasizing the importance of nutrition and healthy eating habits.
"Our students are so excited to grow their own vegetables. It keeps them engaged, keeps them out of trouble," Carrasquillo noted.
The school's emphasis on physical education is also pivotal in instilling a sense of well-being among its students. Carrasquillo described the physical education program, which includes heart rate monitors, as a way to ensure students are exercising effectively and keeping their hearts healthy.
Being named one of "America's Healthiest Schools" aligns with IDEA's overarching commitment to reducing absences caused by illnesses spreading within the school.
"We teach our scholars the facts of health care, daily sanitary practices, good hygiene, and good health care," Carrasquillo said.
By fostering a sense of community and providing resources and programs to promote health and wellness, Carrasquillo said the school exemplifies a model for other institutions to follow.
"We just truly believe in team and family here," she said.
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