Healthy Life Challenge - It's the Teachers' Turn

When kids have healthy role models, they’re more likely to follow in positive footsteps. That’s the idea behind the PacificSource Healthy Life Schools Challenge, which encourages local teachers to replace at least one high-calorie snack per day with a fruit or vegetable. It’s that easy!

Why target the teachers and not the kids? Teachers have more interaction with children than anyone except parents. By focusing on teachers, PacificSource aims to create positive role models who can then share their experiences and involve children in learning activities that encourage healthy eating. We also hope that they’ll fill their own plates with fruits and vegetables so the kids can see them living a healthy lifestyle.

Jordan Kent quizzes Yolanda Elementary Students, much to their delight.

The challenge is open to all school staff working in the Springfield and Bethel (West Eugene) School Districts. Participants will tell us how many servings of fruits and vegetables they eat each week. The elementary, middle and high school that consumes the highest percentage of fruits and vegetables during the four-week Healthy Life Schools Challenge will receive a donation of $1,000 from PacificSource to be used towards health education or programming within their school.

The event kicked off with an assembly at Yolanda Elementary School in Springfield. On hand to help us were the Springfield and Bethel Superintendents, Jordan Kent (former UO athlete, pictured), and the local media. Oh, and don’t forget the 300 screaming elementary school students!

Alexa Shook, Director of the Healthy Life Challenge got the assembly started, and Jordan Kent played the role of “Healthy Game Show Host.” Said Shook, "The assembly was a lot of fun, but more importantly, it let the school faculty and the kids know why we’re so invested in the health of these faculty members. Now it’s up to the school staff to participate in the Healthy Life Schools challenge, and to serve as the healthy role models our kids need."

The Healthy Life Schools Challenge began Monday, April 16 and will run until May 11. You can see the news clip from the assembly. To learn more about the Healthy Life Schools Challenge, visit healthylifechallenge.org. If you have questions about the Healthy Schools Challenge, please contact Alexa Shook at (503) 802-5956.