Washtenaw Optimal Wellness aims to help public and private schools teach our children how to make the healthy choice by making the healthy choice the easy choice™. We will work with school administrators and school boards to implement healthy eating programs in their cafeterias, as well as create walking programs to help children become more active.
Our goal is to implement a Blue Zones Project in Washtenaw County and work towards having ‘Blue Zone® Certified’ schools.
Blue Zones® Projects found that simple changes in the school environment can boost student health, attendance, focus, and performance.
The California Beach Communities Blue Zones® Project saw childhood obesity decline by 50%!
Helping kids develop healthy habits affects lifelong well-being and healthcare costs.
Other Blue Zones® Projects saw a 10-15% increase in kids walking and biking to school.
See what Crowley ISD kids and educators say about their Blue Zone® Certified School:
The Blue Zones® Project Team Commitment
WE MAKE IT EASY
~Free access. Privately funded by sponsor organizations, Blue Zones® Project experts, tools, and resources are available to you at no cost.
~Proven policies and programs. Blue Zones® Project has identified evidence-based policies and programs for shaping elementary school, middle school, and high school environments to support physical, social, and emotional health. Models and examples that delivered results for other schools provide a springboard for action in yours.
~Flexible approach. You decide which policies and programs best suit your school. From offering healthy fundraisers to adding new curriculum, you’ll discover new ways to support the health and well-being of your school, many of which can be implemented at low or no cost. You can include your own best practices as part of your Blue Zones® Project efforts.
~Hands-on support. Local Blue Zones Project team members—working onsite in your community—provide resources, expertise, and promotional material to help you, your staff, and parent volunteer groups take chosen actions. You can connect with other participating organizations and community leaders through local events.
~Clear metrics. Blue Zones® Project is committed to measuring action and results. Our team of experts will help you set relevant measures, track your school’s healthy changes, and measure impact across the community. Community-wide well-being improvement progress will be tracked annually using the Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index™.
~Collaborative strength. With more than 200 interventions across organizations, Blue Zones® Project aims to reach all the places people live, work, learn, and play. Healthy behaviors spread within and outside your school. In these environments, healthy and easy become one and the same.
~Positive recognition. Blue Zones® Project has a strong record of generating positive media coverage, with broad benefits for the reputation of schools and communities.
MAKE THE HEALTHY CHOICE THE EASY CHOICE™. IN YOUR SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY.
Schools are in a powerful position to influence health and well-being for generations. Taking action is easier than ever in an environment of community-wide change, with local resources available for support. Contact your Blue Zones Project team to get started with the Blue Zones® Project School Pledge.
