San Elizario ISD schools are sending the message about the importance of a sound mind and body in the education of students and the districts efforts are being recognized at the regional, state, and national level. In April, the school district’s three elementary campuses were recognized for implementing campus-wide initiatives that support health and wellness among students, parents, faculty and staff. The district’s Director of Research and Development, Ernesto Rodriguez, and Alarcon Elementary School Nurse, Laura Rodriguez were on hand to accept awards on behalf of the San Elizario Independent School District from the City of El Paso, Mayor John Cook, State Representative Silvestre Reyes, and Senator Elliot Shapleigh.
The San Elizario Independent School District has been leading efforts in supporting obesity research, abstinence education, physical education, wellness programs, and tying activities to health whenever possible. Some of the district-wide activities that have been effectively executed include: promotion of the Que Sabrosa Vida program; installing a walking trail at Alarcon Park; organizing after-school programs involving fitness and exercise; encouraging cafeteria managers to design fun and nutritional activities at the different campuses; Family Fun Nights; and health fairs.
Rodriguez stated that the honors serve to highlight the district’s belief that healthy students in essence learn better. “A healthy child can learn and understand information better,” Rodriguez said.
Alarcon, Borrego, and Sambrano elementary schools have each designed holistic and creative activities that successfully integrate state mandates for a coordinated school health program. One example is through the Book of the Month program which helps to encourage students to read by including activities such as guest speakers, parent presentations, art projects, and a healthy treat from the school’s cafeteria.
“We really couldn’t offer all of these opportunities for our students without the help of a lot of people at the different campuses,” added nurse Laura Rodriguez citing the hard work of all the parent volunteers who not only assist on campus but also emphasize lessons about health for students at home.
Director of Research and Development, Ernesto Rodriguez, stated that the San Elizario Independent School District has made strides in supporting health and wellness programs over the years. The awards will now challenge the district to place an even greater commitment to addressing health issues among the community.
“We are coming together as a community for the health of our students. We are coming together as a district, all the campuses, because making sure our students are healthy and are learning, can’t be done alone,” Rodriguez said.
The San Elizario Independent School District has already begun taking steps to improve upon its coordinated school health program with plans underway to offer a community-wide health fair in the fall. |
