Published in the Temple City Tribune
Mountain View School District’s Superintendent, Lillian Maldonado French, was invited to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition – Let’s Move! Active Schools Leadership Roundtable at the White House.
Ms. French was one of 30 superintendents from across the country to participate in the Roundtable on September 15. The invitation was a result of MVSD’s partnership with AASA, the School Superintendent’s Association and the District’s focus on wellness and its curriculum and approach to physical education.
The roundtable highlighted the need for physical activity in schools to help students get the most out of their school day, both academically and physically. The event also underscored the close relationship between health outcomes and academic performance, focusing on school nutrition and how food impacts performance throughout the entire day, including in the classroom and on the playing field.
Additionally, it brought together the superintendents to discuss strategies to improve the health and well-being of our nation’s youth. Ms. French enjoyed the unique opportunity to interact directly with colleagues, President’s Council member athletes Grant Hill, Alonzo Mourning, Jason Collins, Allyson Felix, Caitlin Cahow, Misty Copeland, and Curtis Pride, as well as several Student Ambassadors from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.
”This event was an invaluable experience that brought together a variety of stakeholders working to ensure that our students are physically active and academically engaged,” said French. “I’m very proud of the work we are doing in Mountain View in the area of health and fitness and it was a pleasure to be a part of the roundtable and share our experiences as well as learn effective strategies from the other school leaders,” she added.
MVSD has a comprehensive wellness policy and has been recognized as a leader for its nutrition education, school breakfast program, and healthy schools initiative. This year two schools received the 2014 Bronze National Healthy Schools Recognition Award from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.
Sharon Adams-Taylor, AASA associate executive director, emphasized the importance of the superintendents in helping to create healthy children and healthy lifestyles.
“Your work is critically important because it affects not only the children in your schools but their families and the communities in which they live,” commented Adams-Taylor.
French was honored and excited to participate in the Roundtable and represent MVSD and El Monte community.
Source Beacon Media News