BearPower School Challenge tackles student wellness in White Bear Lake Area Schools
WHITE BEAR LAKE, Minn. — Nov. 17, 2014 — Students at White Bear Lake Area Schools have seen changes in school culture that supports their health and well-being thanks to the BearPower School Challenge.
All nine of the district’s elementary schools participated in the program during the inaugural year, with an overall wellness scoring increase of more than 40 points on a 100 point scale from the beginning of the school year to the end. Scores were measured in five key categories of best practices, and schools earned points for actions such as participating in the yumPower School Challenge, using physical activity as a reward at school, eliminating sugary beverages at school events, daily BearPower activity breaks in classrooms and limiting of screen time to academic purposes.
A partnership between HealthPartners, Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, White Bear Lake Area Schools and the White Bear Area YMCA, the BearPower School Challenge was first set in motion during the 2013-2014 school year. The initiative’s aim is to help improve the health and wellness of students through better food and beverage options, increased physical activity and less emphasis on recreational screen time, while giving schools the opportunity to earn between $1,000 and $2,000 to support health-related activities.
“Research shows that the school environment is one of the most influential factors when it comes to developing healthy habits in children,” said Teresa Dahlem, Oneka Elementary School principal. “Our goal with the BearPower School Challenge is to establish practices and procedures within that environment that can lead to healthy, long-term change.”
White Bear Lake Area Schools are once again participating in the BearPower School Challenge for the 2014-2015 school year, emphasizing several new strategies designed to strengthen adoption and ongoing participation.
“The first year of the Challenge was very successful, and we look forward to building on that success in the current school year,” said Dahlem.
To learn more about the BearPower School Challenge as well as other BearPower initiatives in White Bear Lake, visit BearPower.org.
About BearPower
BearPower is a community-wide movement helping families eat well and be active. Parents, schools, community organizations, local government officials, clinicians and local businesses have joined forces with Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota and HealthPartners to create a healthier environment for kids. We are working together so that all kids can reach their full potential. To learn more, visit bearpower.org.
About HealthPartners
HealthPartners is the largest consumer-governed, non-profit health care organization in the nation with a mission to improve health and well-being in partnership with members, patients and the community. For more information, visit healthpartners.com.
About Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota is one of the largest pediatric health systems in the United States and the only health system in Minnesota to provide care exclusively to children, from before birth through young adulthood. An independent and not-for-profit system since 1924, Children’s serves kids throughout the Upper Midwest at two free-standing hospitals, 12 primary and specialty-care clinics and six rehabilitation sites. Children’s maintains its longstanding commitment to the community to improve children’s health by providing high-quality, family-centered pediatric services and advancing those efforts through research and education. This work is made possible in large part by generous philanthropic and volunteer support from individuals and organizations throughout the state and region. An award-winning health system, Children’s is regularly ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a top children’s hospital and by The Leapfrog Group for quality and efficiency. Please visit childrensmn.org.
About White Bear Lake Area Schools
The White Bear Lake Area School District serves all or parts of Birchwood, Gem Lake, Hugo, Lino Lakes, Little Canada, Maplewood, North Oaks, Vadnais Heights, White Bear Lake and White Bear Township, with four Early Childhood program locations (birth-K), nine elementary schools (K-5), two middle schools (6-8), a two-campus high school (9-12), an Area Learning Center and a Transition Education Center. The school district, with a total population of approximately 50,000 residents, serves approximately 8,900 students PreK-12. The district also offers adult basic education, community education classes, a recreation program and a senior center.