[NAME oF School] Honored by the alliance for a healthier generation for FIGHTING childhood obesity

[LOCAL SCHOOL] traveled to National Healthy Schools Program Forum and Received Award for Increasing Healthy Eating and Physical Activity

(LOCATION)Septemberxx, 2013–The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, founded by the American Heart Association and the Clinton Foundation, recognized [SCHOOL NAME] for transforming its campus into a healthier place for students and staff.

To earn the National Recognition Award, [SCHOOL NAME] improved its nutrition services and physical activity programs to meet or exceed stringent standards set by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program. The Healthy Schools Program provides professional development to schools such as onsite and virtual trainings with school health experts, access to a customer support center, science-based resources, and success stories--at no cost--to more than 18,000 schools nationwide to help them reverse the childhood obesity epidemic. Schools are eligible for Bronze, Silver, or Gold National Recognition Awards based on their level of achievement. [INSERT NAME OF SCHOOL] was one of 267 schools from around the country honored at the Healthy Schools Program Forum at the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, Ark.

As a recipient of the [BRONZE/SILVER/GOLD] National Recognition Award, [SCHOOL NAME] has [INSERT SCHOOL STORY].

[OPTIONAL – INSERT SCHOOL QUOTE] Quote should include why school rep is excited about the Alliance’s Healthy Schools Program and the impact that success is having on staff and students. Sample Quote: “We are so excited to receive national recognition this year. The Healthy Schools Program has helped us create a healthier and happier environment for students and staff alike and we are proud of the great results we’ve had so far.”

“We applaud the achievements of our 2013 honorees,” said Howell Wechsler, Chief Executive Officer of theAlliance for a Healthier Generation. “Their successful efforts to getstudents and staff eating better and moving more prove that schools are great environments to promote both health and academics.”

To further strengthen the Healthy Schools Program, the Alliance brokers and implements voluntary agreements with industry leaders to provide schools better access to healthier foods, beverages, and physical activity. As a result of these agreements, more than 30 million students across the country have access to healthier school meals – including at least 14 million students who currently participate in the free and reduced lunch program. Additionally, the Alliance’s landmark agreement with the American Beverage Association has contributed to a 90 percent reduction in calories from beverages shipped to schools between the 2004-2010 school years.

The Healthy Schools Program is supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. To become a healthier place for students to learn and staff to work, any school in the United States can enroll and receive assistance and support at no cost. Find out more at HealthierGeneration.org.

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About the Alliance for a Healthier Generation

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, founded by the American Heart Association and the Clinton Foundation, works to reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity and to empower kids to develop lifelong, healthy habits. The Alliance works with schools, companies, community organizations,
healthcare professionals, and families to transform the conditions and systems that lead to healthier children. To learn more and join the movement, visit

About the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nation's largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to health and health care, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, measureable and timely change. For more than 40 years the Foundation has brought experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it serves. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, the Foundation expects to make a difference in your lifetime. For more information, visit Follow the Foundation on Twitter orFacebook

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Media Contacts:

Alliance for a Healthier Generation

Abby Manishor, 917-539-3308

[INSERT SCHOOL CONTACT INFO]

Alliance local recognition 2013_hw

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