Mississippi continues to make progress toward a healthier future, and the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation is facilitating this progress by providing the resources, funding and leadership needed to continue in our commitment to a healthier Mississippi.
The Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation is proud to have provided grant funding to these organizations:
Building Healthy Communities
City of Morton - 2016 Healthiest Hometown
The City of Morton won a Healthy Hometown Award in 2015 in its inaugural year as a contender. Led by Mayor Greg Butler and the Morton Healthy Hometown Committee, Morton continued its focus on municipal health and wellness and was named “Mississippi’s Healthiest Hometown” in 2016 by the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation.
Building Healthy Universities and Colleges
Meridian Community College
In partnership with the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation, Meridian Community College is nurturing a culture of health and wellness through the Smart, Well, Fit, Campus, Community initiative. The college is creating a sustainable healthy environment by adopting a tobacco-free policy and making walking and fitness classes available to individuals on campus and the surrounding community.
Mississippi Valley State University
The Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation continues its support of the Valley in Motion initiative at Mississippi Valley State University. The initiative, created in partnership with the Foundation in 2014, includes innovative health and wellness programs and resources that impact individuals on campus and extends into the local community and school district. A tobacco-free university, Mississippi Valley State University added a bicycle path and made bicycles available to students, faculty, staff and administrators to encourage physical fitness. The university’s “Valley Kids in Motion” youth summer camp has a focus on healthy eating and exercise and is available to students in grades K-5.
Building Healthy Schools
Grenada Upper Elementary School - 2017 Healthiest School
"We are delighted to have received the Healthiest School Award! Our school district strives to educate students, not only in academics, but also in pursuit of healthy lifestyle choices. From physical education to healthy eating choices, we endeavor to provide students, faculty and staff with a variety of information and life skills."
Dr. David Daigneault, Superintendent of the Grenada School District
Taking top honors as the “Healthiest School in Mississippi” for 2017, Grenada Upper Elementary School has made significant progress in enhancing its wellness goals. Health screenings, nutrition education and fitness classes are available for faculty and staff at no cost. Students are taught the value of health and are given opportunities for short bouts of exercise during the school day. Vending machines available to students, faculty and staff offer only healthy beverage and snack items. Thirty-six faculty and staff members participated in a healthy eating and exercise program during school hours and lost a combined 815 pounds during the first six months of the program. With innovative programming such as the “Walk with the Principals” campaign to promote daily exercise, the school is building a sustainable model for individuals who want to live healthy lifestyles. Grenada Upper Elementary School is a true role model of health and wellness for schools across Mississippi.
Columbia Elementary School - 2017 Healthy School
Columbia Elementary School is committed to health and wellness in alignment with one of the overreaching strategic goals established by the Columbia School District. The “Health is Academic” incentive program reinforces healthy behaviors to impact students’ academic achievement as studies show health and learning go hand-in-hand. Daily fitness activities are offered to students that include martial arts, archery and planting and harvesting fresh fruits and vegetables in the school’s garden. Fun fitness and nutrition challenges are available for faculty, staff and parents, such as afternoon exercise group classes and healthy cooking classes that provide recipes and tasting opportunities.
Pass Christian Elementary School - 2016 Healthy School
Located on the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast as part of the Pass Christian School District, Pass Christian Elementary School thrives on providing an environment where students learn the importance of healthy eating and exercise. In-class physical activity breaks are encouraged to allow students to participate in short bouts of exercise before returning to their studies. Faculty and staff use fitness bands attached to the bottom of their desks to incorporate movement while seated. To encourage health and wellness, a yoga and walking club is available to faculty and staff after school hours, and monthly incentives are available to teachers who participate in school wellness activities and have perfect attendance.
Fitness Equipment and Health Curricula
In 2017, the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation provided grants to implement a fitness equipment and health curricula program from the Project Fit America organization in an additional 32 schools in Mississippi. The fitness equipment and health curricula program includes indoor and outdoor exercise equipment, physical education curricula, and onsite training for PE teachers. Schools receiving the program record BMI and fitness data, along with data related to absenteeism and disciplinary occurrences at the start and end of the school year for two years.
- Agricola Elementary School
- Alcorn Central Middle School
- Bayou View Middle School
- Bel Aire Elementary School
- Bettye Mae Jack Middle School
- Blackburn Middle School
- Bramlett Elementary School
- Charleston Middle School
- Churchill Elementary School
- Coldwater Attendance Center
- Columbus Middle School
- Delisle Elementary School
- Drew Hunter Middle School
- East Central Middle School
- East Sunflower Elementary School
- Goodloe Elementary School
- Guntown Middle School
- Kirksey Middle School
- Kosciusko Junior High School
- L. T. Taylor Intermediate School
- Lafayette Middle School
- McLaurin Elementary School
- Milam Elementary School
- Nichols Middle School
- Oak Grove Middle School
- Oak Park Elementary School
- Oxford Middle School
- Port Gibson Middle School
- R. H. Long Booneville Middle School
- Ruleville Middle School
- Sebastopol Attendance Center
- Southside Elementary School
- St. Patrick Catholic School
- St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School
- Stringer Attendance Center
- South Delta Middle School
- Susie B. West Elementary School
- Tunica Middle School
- Ward Stewart Elementary School
- Wilkins Elementary School