WAIMEA — Parker School recently was named the first Blue Zones Project Approved private school in Hawaii. The school attained the distinction earlier this month by embracing the organization’s Power 9 principles of health and wellness, particularly the “Move Naturally” and “Plant Slant” concepts.
North Hawaii is one of three Blue Zones Project demonstration sites in Hawaii. The other two are East Hawaii on the Big Island and Koolaupoko on Oahu.
In addition to Parker’s Farm-to-School Program, all students start their day with physical movement activities. Research and experience have proven that children who have physical activity first thing in the morning are more alert and ready to engage in classroom learning.
The school achieved Blue Zones Project Approved status by completing the Blue Zones Project School Pledge. It provides administrators with a menu of evidence-based best practices for optimizing the school environment so that students are encouraged to eat better, move more, reduce sedentary time, increase healthy social interactions and increase mindfulness.
It also introduces programs schools can implement to promote the physical and emotional health of students. Parker School implemented the monthly Walking School Bus program; providing 150 minutes per week of physical education for elementary school students, and 225 minutes per week for middle and high School students; a hands-on Farm-to-School Program; providing only water in classrooms and hallways; and prohibiting the sale of sugar-sweetened beverages on school grounds. In addition, the student handbook tells parents that sugar-sweetened beverages should not be packed in lunches.
“We are thrilled to join the Blue Zones movement and continue to model and encourage a healthy and active life with our 320 students in grades K-12,” Carl Sturges said, Parker School’s headmaster. “With this approval comes validation that we are on the right track with our existing programs and events such as our school garden, a Conscious Discipline program, field day, bike and pedestrian education, George Henegan fun run, numerous sports offerings and an extensive variety of after-school programs in the arts, athletics and academics.”
The Blue Zones Project — North Hawaii team will recognize the school at Parker School’s Annual Fall BBQ on Sept. 2. The private event will be a celebration for the faculty and staff, board of directors, current students and families.
Brought to Hawaii through a sponsorship by HMSA in collaboration with Healthways, Inc. and Blue Zones, LLC, Blue Zones Project — North Hawaii officially launched last October at a kick-off event in Waimea. The initiative is designed to make healthy choices easier for residents through permanent changes to the environment, policy and social networks.