Park Place made headlines this winter with a visit from Texas Agriculture Commissioner, Susan Combs, and Superintendent of Houston Independent School District, Dr. Saavedra. The kick-off event for a statewide program focusing on healthy snacks and providing healthy incentives for 4th grade classes was held at Park Place Elementary!

Featuring one theme each month, students have made posters about using healthy foods and physical activity. Contributions to the healthy message are made from a variety of sources including the social worker making nutrition announcements once each week over classroom TV. The PTO is providing snacks, non-food rewards, and healthy party fare!

“About 80% of the teachers have participated or are working on healthy messages in some way,” Assistant Principal, Hermelinda Gonzales, reports. The headline is the KidLink Team has started working; the teachers are excited; the coaches are involved and everyone is learning!

Making lifestyle changes is not always a “walk in the park”, but at Park Place Elementary it just might be! Walking together in the city park across the street, students and their families are on the path toward a healthier lifestyle. Using incentives, the KidLink team is emphasizing the family’s role. Setting a goal to make healthy snacks a habit has led Park Place to:

• start a nutrition class for parents
• include parents on their KidLink team
• present information to the parent-advisory staff
• change fundraisers and snack packs to healthy foods instead of cookie dough and pop/candy bar
• show the movie Super Size Me to the faculty
• forward WOWS (newsletter) to committee members, faculty and parents

HKC wishes students, parents, and staff great success on the wellness path journey together!