1. Healthier US School Challenge Implementation Strategies
Monica Figueroa, MS, RD
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

2. Overview Healthier US School Challenge (HUSSC) application
Benefits of being a HUSSC school
HUSSC Regional Specialists
Challenges presented
Overcoming challenges
Tips on gathering information
Questions
Single presenter

3. How does HUSSC work? Voluntary certification initiative
Recognizes excellence creating healthier school environments through promotion of smarter lunchrooms, nutrition, and physical activity in schools
Award at four levels - Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Gold Award of Distinction
Certification good for four years

4. What recognition will schools receive?
Monetary award, plaque and banner from the USDA
$2,000 Gold Award of Distinction
$1,500 Gold
$1,000 Silver
$500 Bronze
National recognition on USDA’s Team Nutrition website
Congratulatory letter and free-standing banner from FDACS, Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness
Award celebrations can be planned with USDA present to draw community recognition

5. Who can apply? An individual school can apply, or
Multiple schools can apply under the same district application when all of the following are in place: This is called a Simplified School District Application
The same nutrition education, physical education, and physical activities are provided or offered (according to the grade level).
Each individual school follows the district’s wellness policy.
The same Smart Snacks foods and beverages sold throughout the cafeteria and/or school campus. Submit:
a.) One Smart Snacks Worksheet with a listing of foods available and
b.) One set of supporting documentation.

6. General Criteria to Apply
Participate in the National School Lunch (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP)
Team Nutrition School
6-cent certification
Complete all corrective actions from Administrative Review
Implement techniques in six areas defined on the Smarter Lunchrooms Self-Assessment Scorecard.
Note: HUSSC criteria no longer requires menus to be submitted with application.

7. General Criteria to Apply.
Reimbursable meals meet USDA nutrition standards; other food sales (if applicable) meet Smart Snacks standards.
Annual training on Smart Snacks criteria; Includes information for schools to not advertise or market items that do not meet the Smart Snacks criteria.
Provide nutrition education, physical education, and opportunities for physical activity.

8. Who is involved? Review Committee: Food Service Manager
Team Nutrition Leader
Food Service Director
Parent Representative
PE/Health Teacher
Principal

9. Average Daily Participation (ADP) School Breakfast Program
Elementary & Middle Schools
Not required for Bronze
20% for Silver
35% for Gold &
Gold Award of Distinction
High Schools
Not required for Bronze
15% for silver
25% for Gold &
Gold Award of Distinction

10. Average Daily Participation (ADP) National School Lunch Program
Elementary and Middle Schools
Not required for Bronze
60% for Silver
75% for Gold &
Gold Award of Distinction
High Schools
Not required for Bronze
45% for silver
65% for Gold &
Gold Award of Distinction
* ADP calculated from students attendance for any month prior (within the same SY)

11. Smarter Lunchroom Self-Assessment

12. Smarter Lunchroom Self-Assessment
Bronze: must select at least 30 action items
Silver/Gold: at least 51 action items
Gold Award of Distinction: at least 71 action items
Documentation that the school is meeting this criteria shall include:
Copy of the completed score card
Brief summary describing Smarter Lunchroom effort
2-3 photos describing the school’s overall Smarter Lunchroom effort.

13. Nutrition Education Elementary Schools (all award levels):
Nutrition education is provided to all full-day students
Delivered as part of a structured and systematic unit of instruction
Incorporates Team Nutrition curricula and materials
Involves multiple channels of communication: in the classroom, reflected in the cafeteria, and information sent home to parents/caregivers

14. Nutrition Education Middle Schools: High Schools (all award levels):
Bronze/Silver
Offered in at least one grade and incorporates Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA’s), MyPlate and Team Nutrition materials
Gold/Gold Award of Distinction
Offered in at least two grades and incorporates DGA’s, My Plate and Team Nutrition materials
High Schools (all award levels):
Offered in at least 2 courses required for graduation, part of a structured and systematic unit of instruction consistent with DGA’s and MyPlate

15. Physical Education Elementary School Middle School High School
Structured PE must be provided for a minimum average of
45 minutes/week for Bronze/Silver level
90 minutes per week for Gold level, and
150 minutes/week for Gold Award of Distinction
Middle School
Describe how structured physical education is offered to at least 2 grades.
High School
Describe how structured physical education is offered in at least 2 courses.
Note: Up to 20 minutes (Bronze/Silver) and 45 minutes (Gold/Gold Award of Distinction) of the PE requirement may be met by providing structured physical activity planned by a certified PE teacher and implemented by a classroom teacher or school administrator. All students must participate in the physical activities, which must be at least moderate intensity and in increments of at least ten minutes.

16. Physical Activity Elementary School Middle and High School
Additional daily physical activity opportunities
Recess
Time allotted
Middle and High School
How school provides opportunities and promotes participation
Note: In all grades, schools must reinforce the policy to neither deny or require PA as a means of punishment.

17. School Wellness Policy
Schools must submit a copy of their wellness policy and describe how:
School is working to meet wellness policy goals
Parents, students, school administration and staff, and the community are involved
School does not deny or require physical activity as a means of punishment
School prohibits the use of food as a reward

18. Other Criteria for Excellence (14 options)
Bronze: Must select at least two Silver: Must select at least four Gold: Must select at least six Gold Award of Distinction: Must select at least eight
Program Outreach Excellence
Excellence in School and Community Involvement in Wellness Efforts
School Food Service Excellence

19. Other Criteria for Excellence Examples
Program Outreach
Initiatives to increase SBP participation (e.g. Breakfast in the Classroom)
Participates in after school snack or meal program
School and Community Involvement in Wellness Efforts
Annually trains before and after school program staff on wellness
Has community partners to promote wellness
School Food Service
Manager is a certified food handler (local or national certification)
Implements Farm to School Initiative(s)

20. Benefits of being a HUSSC School
Helps create and sustain a positive environment that encourages kids to select healthy life choices through the promotion of physical activity and nutrition education
Helps demonstrate the school’s deep commitment to create and maintain a healthy environment by promoting good nutrition and physical activity
Helps recognize schools that go above and beyond the minimum requirements to promote wellness, healthy nutrition, and physical activity within their campus

21. HUSSC Regions

22. Potential hurdles for districts
ADP % in schools that have potential to be in higher level with other areas
Increase nutrition promotion through taste testing, fun and informational posters, and smarter lunchroom techniques.
Lack of nutrition education resources
Order Team Nutrition supplies for cafeteria and classroom
Lack of knowledge and focus on wellness policies in schools
Contact state agency to learn more about new requirements for wellness policy and how to meet them
Wellness policies not meeting requirements

23. Challenges presented at the school and District level
HUSSC not considered a priority
Not having someone identifiable for communication regarding HUSSC or wellness
Not having consistent or any response from District
Vacancies that lead to disinterest
Unwillingness to update wellness policy
Not obtaining all answers in complete details

24. Overcoming challenges
Reassure school and HUSSC Specialists are there to assist with filling out application
Create a sequence of “to do”. For example, first step would be to enroll or update Team Nutrition school information
Have specific questions directed to those who possibly have answers such as cafeteria managers, PE teachers, and wellness coordinators

25. Overcoming challenges
Partner with Extension office Coordinators to build relationship with Health Teams
Being involved, by attending Wellness meetings, SHAC meetings, anything that was available where they could communicate with people in the district

26. Tips on gathering information
Gather district information first (if standardized)
Smart Snacks
Wellness Policy
Physical Activity Standards
Physical Education Standards
Team Nutrition
Collect information during visits to schools
ServSafe Certifications
Smarter Lunchroom Self-Assessment Scorecard
Pictures and summaries

29. Contact: Visit: Monica Figueroa, MS, RD
| (850)
Visit:
USDA HUSSC: SL webpage
FDACS, FNW Team Nutrition and HUSSC: SL webpage
HUSSC application can be found at:

30. Questions? This institution is an equal opportunity provider
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