Healthy School - Itawamba Agricultural High School

Grant Awarded: $50,000

Located in Northeast Mississippi as part of the Itawamba County School District, Itawamba Agricultural High School is a role model of health and wellness for schools across Mississippi and was honored with a Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation Healthy School Award. School district leaders and school health council members are building a sustainable culture of health and wellness promoting health education, healthy nutrition and physical fitness.

With health and wellness as one of the school district’s overall strategic goals, policies were adopted to integrate health education into all subject areas. Itawamba Agricultural High School leaders collaborate with school health council members to create opportunities for healthy eating and exercise activities such as “Fitness Friday” where students lead their administrators, teachers and peers in physical fitness activities. The “Walk With Us” program was implemented by placing mile-marker signage in hallways to measure distance as school personnel and students enjoy walking together before and after school and during breaks.

Itawamba Agricultural High School cafeteria uses combination ovens instead of deep fryers to prepare school meals. A student-led initiative named “Teen Fan Favorites” is designed to create healthy snacks and resulted in the addition of menu items such as yogurt parfaits, pasta salads and grilled chicken quesadillas. The school cafeteria also offers a salad bar stocked with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Plans for the $50,000 grant award include expanding the school garden and greenhouse.