Darlington County School District selected for All-Health Team

COLUMBIA — The Darlington County School District has been selected for the All-Health Team, the S. C. Department of Health and Environmental Control announced Monday.

“The Food, Fitness and Fun project was implemented in nine elementary schools in Darlington County as a result of a grant received from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina Foundation,“ said Joann Minder, All-Health Team program coordinator. “The project initially targeted third- and fourth-graders and combated obesity by promoting healthy eating and physical fitness. It has been expanded to include grades 1-5.“

According to Minder, the project focuses on nutrition and healthy food choices. Students also learn how exercise affects their entire body and impacts learning.

“Each morning students participate in a 5-minute exercise session, which is shown on television,“ Minder said. “The project also consists of a calendar that gives daily physical and nutrition activity tips suggested by students that promote a healthy lifestyle. The district has distributed approximately 700 calendars.“

Minder said there are plans to encourage the expanded use of the calendar by having students read the daily messages during their morning announcements. The district has created an additional calendar featuring one-minute exercises that students can do at their desk during the day.

For being named to the All-Health Team, the Darlington County School District will receive $500 to expand its project, t-shirts and other All-Health Team items, recognition on the All-Health Team Web site and a television spot on WIS-TV in Columbia.

For more information, visit the All-Health Team Web site at: http://www.scdhec.gov/allhealth, call Minder at (803) 545-4501 or e-mail her at .