Michelle Obama Awards Weston's Hurlbutt Elementary

Hurlbutt Elementary School is making national news by working to support and improve the health of our children and our community. As part of their effort, healthy items are featured on their menus and physical education and activity are emphasized. Their efforts are part of the HealthierUS School Challenge.

The HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) is a voluntary national certification initiative for schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. It supports First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign by recognizing schools that are creating healthier school environments through their promotion of good nutrition and physical activity. Sponsored by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), the initiative encourages all schools take a leadership role in helping students to make healthier eating and physical activity choices that will last a lifetime. Schools, such as Hurlbutt Elementary School that champion the HUSSC work hard to make changes to their school nutrition environment in order to (1) improve the quality of the foods served, (2) provide students with nutrition education, and (3) provide students with physical education and opportunities for physical activity.

To qualify for an award, a school must submit a formal application and meet basic criteria set forth by the FNS. The HUSSC criteria reflect the recommendations of the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) published recommendations (April 2007) for foods that should be served in schools, and outside of the organized school lunch meals. Nutrient rich foods including whole grains, dark green vegetables, deep orange-colored vegetables, legumes and low-fat and fat-free milk are a few of the nutrition requirements for the school lunch menu. HealthierUS Schools must also have a local school wellness policy, as mandated by Congress. Schools receiving a HUSSC award commit to meeting the criteria throughout their four year certification period.

“I am pleased to inform and congratulate you on the Weston School District receiving the HUSSC Bronze Award for the Hurlbutt Elementary School," said Mary Joan McLarney MS, RD, LDN Special Nutrition Programs, Nutritionist for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). "The HUSSC is a recognition award for schools who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in both nutrition and physical education to promote a healthier school environment for children. It is a wonderful accomplishment for the Food Service Department, the students, the School District and the state of Connecticut.”

Hurlbutt Elementary School qualified for the Bronze level award. A representative from USDA will visit Hurlbutt Elementary School on Monday, Nov. 14 at 9:30 a.m. to present the official award.

The HUSSC application process was led by Jill Patterson, RD, Chartwells Resident Dietitian for Weston Public Schools and Andre Santelli, Chartwells Director of Dining and Culinary Development for Weston Public Schools. Kim Kus played an instrumental role in the nutrition education and physical education sections of the application. A team of school professionals and a representative of the parent organization reviewed the application and included Joanna Genovese, Lynne Barrelle and Jennifer Bennoff.

Special recognition is also due to the school nutrition staff, Lynne Barrelle, Carrie McAdams, Nevi Ne, and Sue Wilson, for their efforts in achieving school lunch menu changes leading to a HUSSC Bronze award.

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