116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Catholic schools honored for healthy initiatives
CEDAR RAPIDS - Two schools of Cedar Rapids' Holy Family Catholic School System - St. Jude Elementary and St. Ludmila Elementary - have been recognized with the Healthier US School Challenge Bronze Award.
Iowa Department of Education and United States Department of Agriculture representative Carrie Scheidel presented the award to the Holy Family student body and representatives during a ceremony Friday at LaSalle Middle School, 3700 First Avenue NW.
St. Jude and St. Ludmila are two of 70 Iowa schools recognized.
The Healthier US School Challenge 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.
Schools awarded receive a monetary incentive based on their award.
The Bronze Award comes with a $500 incentive, as well as an award plaque and a banner to display in the school.
Janet Whitney, Principal at St Ludmila Elementary School, greets students at an awards ceremony honoring St. Jude Elementary and St. Ludmila Elementary schools with the bronze award in the Healthier US School Challenge at LaSalle Middle School in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Oct. 14, 2016. The two schools, which are in Cedar Rapids' Holy Family Catholic School System, participated in the voluntary USDA certification program by enhancing its school lunch menus and encouraging participation in casual physical activity like walking. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)
Carrie Scheidel, Team Nutrition Co-Director with the Iowa Department of Education, speaks to students at an awards ceremony honoring St. Jude Elementary and St. Ludmila Elementary schools with the bronze award in the Healthier US School Challenge at LaSalle Middle School in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Oct. 14, 2016. The two schools, which are in Cedar Rapids' Holy Family Catholic School System, participated in the voluntary USDA certification program by enhancing its school lunch menus and encouraging participation in casual physical activity like walking. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)
Students raise their hands as Carrie Scheidel, Team Nutrition Co-Director with the Iowa Department of Education, asks which of them went to recess and ate lunch today during an awards ceremony honoring St. Jude Elementary and St. Ludmila Elementary schools with the bronze award in the Healthier US School Challenge at LaSalle Middle School in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Oct. 14, 2016. The two schools, which are in Cedar Rapids' Holy Family Catholic School System, participated in the voluntary USDA certification program by enhancing its school lunch menus and encouraging participation in casual physical activity like walking. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)
Alannah Miskimen, 7, a student at St. Jude Elementary, holds a banner at an awards ceremony honoring St. Jude Elementary and St. Ludmila Elementary schools with the bronze award in the Healthier US School Challenge at LaSalle Middle School in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Oct. 14, 2016. The two schools, which are in Cedar Rapids' Holy Family Catholic School System, participated in the voluntary USDA certification program by enhancing its school lunch menus and encouraging participation in casual physical activity like walking. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)
Alannah Miskimen, 7, and Joshua Odabasa, 7, both students at St. Jude Elementary, hold a banner and stand with their school principal, Ronda Krystofiak (center) at an awards ceremony honoring St. Jude Elementary and St. Ludmila Elementary schools with the bronze award in the Healthier US School Challenge at LaSalle Middle School in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Oct. 14, 2016. The two schools, which are in Cedar Rapids' Holy Family Catholic School System, participated in the voluntary USDA certification program by enhancing its school lunch menus and encouraging participation in casual physical activity like walking. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)
Joshua Odabasa, 7, a Student at St. Jude Elementary, holds a sign at an awards ceremony honoring St. Jude Elementary and St. Ludmila Elementary schools with the bronze award in the Healthier US School Challenge at LaSalle Middle School in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Oct. 14, 2016. The two schools, which are in Cedar Rapids' Holy Family Catholic School System, participated in the voluntary USDA certification program by enhancing its school lunch menus and encouraging participation in casual physical activity like walking. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)
Joshua Odabasa, 7, (foreground) a student at St. Jude Elementary, holds a sign that says 'Eat Smart' as students cheer the words at an awards ceremony honoring St. Jude Elementary and St. Ludmila Elementary schools with the bronze award in the Healthier US School Challenge at LaSalle Middle School in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Oct. 14, 2016. The two schools, which are in Cedar Rapids' Holy Family Catholic School System, participated in the voluntary USDA certification program by enhancing its school lunch menus and encouraging participation in casual physical activity like walking. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)
Members of the St. Jude and St. Ludmila physical education and food service staff, school administrators, and students stand with the plaques and banners they received at an awards ceremony honoring St. Jude Elementary and St. Ludmila Elementary schools with the bronze award in the Healthier US School Challenge at LaSalle Middle School in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Oct. 14, 2016. The two schools, which are in Cedar Rapids' Holy Family Catholic School System, participated in the voluntary USDA certification program by enhancing its school lunch menus and encouraging participation in casual physical activity like walking. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)
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