Growing Healthy Schools Month
Celebrating the 2023 Growing Healthy Schools Month Champions in the District of Columbia
Growing Healthy Schools Month: A Historical Overview
The idea of Growing Healthy Schools Month (GHSM) began in 2007 with the creation of “DC School Garden Week” led by the DC Environmental Education Consortium along with “DC Farm to School Week,” led by the DC Farm to School Network . These celebrations operated independently of one another until the passing of the Healthy Schools Act in 2010.
The Healthy Schools Act includes health and nutrition requirements for District schools and agencies, addressing nutrition and food-sourcing standards; programs for promoting farm-to-school, locally grown and sustainable agriculture practices; physical education and health education requirements and standards; and the Environmental Literacy Program and School Gardens program. This legislation is designed to ensure District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), public charter schools and participating private schools are healthy places for all students. For a complete overview of all requirements, please view the Healthy Schools Act Informational Guide here .
The Healthy School Act allowed The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) to play a more central role in the development and administration of a celebration that incorporated past efforts while highlighting the provisions in the Healthy Schools Act that contributed to how schools were creating healthy places for all students. In 2012 OSSE collaborated with partner organizations to design and implement “Growing Healthy Schools Week,” and in 2016 the event was expanded and renamed “ Growing Healthy Schools Month ”.
GHSM became an annual monthly event that celebrates how schools create healthy places for all students. During GHSM, OSSE highlights different topics that support student wellbeing including Mental Health and Wellbeing, Nutrition, Outdoor Learning and Environmental Literacy, and Physical Education.
GHSM 2023
In 2023, the GHSM theme was “Thriving Together.” Schools that committed to championing a healthy school for students and completed and shared at least one activity that supported student wellbeing at their school were designated as 2023 Healthy Schools Champions. See the map and list of Healthy Schools Champions below.
Amidon-Bowen Elementary School
Amidon-Bowen Elementary School. Click to expand.
"Every class will have a FoodPrints lesson this month in which we learn about, work with, and taste seasonal local produce, some of which comes from our school garden, and some of which comes from farms in the region."
Ann Beers Elementary School
Ann Beers Elementary School. Click to expand.
"our "Worms in the Garden'' lesson, students learned the significance of worms, and how they keep our soil healthy. They even got to have hands-on exploration with some worms! Dallas was scared of the worms at first, but with time, was touching and closely observing them by the end of class. Students also cooked homemade kale chips and ate apple slices."
Bridges Public Charter School
Bridges Public Charter School. Click to expand.
"Bridges 1st grade class participating in their weekly Garden and Life science class. They participated in making their own salad & harvesting vegetables."
Brightwood Elementary School
Brightwood Elementary School. Click to expand.
"Fall harvest and the beginning of our Outdoors learning Program."
Briya Public Charter School
Briya Public Charter School. Click to expand.
"We spend lots of time outside every day, we planted flowers and bulbs with pre-k students, we are learning about where our food comes from and made pumpkin muffins"
Capitol Hill Montessori @ Logan
Capitol Hill Montessori @ Logan. Click to expand.
Coolidge High School
Coolidge High School. Click to expand.
C.W. Harris Elementary School
C.W. Harris Elementary School. Click to expand.
DC Bilingual Public Charter School
DC Bilingual Public Charter School. Click to expand.
Friendship Public Charter School- Woodridge Elementary School
Friendship Public Charter School- Woodridge Elementary School. Click to expand.
F. S. Key Elementary School
F. S. Key Elementary School. Click to expand.
"Key School held its Annual Spooky Fun Run/Walk on October 28th. Students prepared by running warm-up laps before PE Class and participating in active play during recess."
Garfield Elementary School
Garfield Elementary School. Click to expand.
"In our lesson, "The Importance of Photosynthesis", we started class by asking why plants grow leaves, which led to a discussion of the different types of leaves we see near where we live. Ms Raigon then performed a demonstration -- with leaf, root, stem, water, and sun cut-outs -- on the different parts of photosynthesis, which hammered the ideas home. Quintarrus summed it up: "Plants need water, soil, sunlight, space, and love.""
Garrison Elementary School
Garrison Elementary School. Click to expand.
Ingenuity Prep Public Charter School
Ingenuity Prep Public Charter School. Click to expand.
John Burroughs Elementary School
John Burroughs Elementary School. Click to expand.
"After learning about the process of photosynthesis, students had a new appreciation for plants and the Earth. Dominic said, "without plants all the animals would die and we wouldn't exist!" Jazmine added on, "we need plants so they can give us oxygen." After learning the significance of leaves, students went to the garden to observe and draw leaf structures involved in photosynthesis."
Kimball Elementary School
Kimball Elementary School. Click to expand.
"In our lesson, "Exploring Soil," students observed and explored their own soil samples. Separating what they found, they checked off what they saw on their "Soil Dissection" worksheet. Each group had worms on the table in their soil. With this new understanding and appreciation for soil, students colored a root vegetable worksheet."
Langley Elementary school
Langley Elementary school. Click to expand.
"In our lesson, "The Three Sisters," we learned about "interdependent" ecosystems and the indigenous tale of the three sisters, beans, corn, and squash; when planted together, they help eachother grow. Students grasped the idea that plants can rely on each other to aid their growth. When we went out to the Langley Food Forest, we discovered how biotic and abiotic forces make up our garden ecosystem. We found bugs, bees, birds, leaves, flowers, trees, and vines as biotic forces, while metal screws, stones, dead leaves, and the fence made up our abiotic parts. Students finished their garden visit by joyfully exploring and finding a butterfly weed seed pod on the ground, and students all took turns sharing their discovery and blowing their seeds into the wind!"
Latin American Montessori Bilingual Public Charter School
Latin American Montessori Bilingual Public Charter School. Click to expand.
Leckie Elementary School
Leckie Elementary School. Click to expand.
Ludlow-Taylor Elementary School
Ludlow-Taylor Elementary School. Click to expand.
"In our lesson called “Plant Families”, students learned that plants in the same family have similar characteristics. Plants from the cucurbit, brassica, nightshade, and legume families were placed on tables and students sorted each one into groups based on their shape. Students explained their reasoning for sorting and discussed the characteristics that differentiate the plant families. When visiting the garden, students were asked to identify a plant from each family that was growing in the garden. We paid special attention to the legumes and talked about how they are nitrogen fixers and why it is important to have nitrogen available in the soil."
Malcolm X Elementary School
Malcolm X Elementary School. Click to expand.
"In our lesson, "Advertising and Food Choices", students learned that advertisements influence our food choices. We watched two commercials (for Takis and for a vegetable). A lot of the students cheered when they saw the Collard Greens! When asked how they would get other children to try Collard Greens, they said, "I would tell them that it makes you grow big and strong!" and "I would tell them they are very yummy!" After making Colorful Kale Salad, they were even more convinced to make their own advertisement about nutritious foods!"
Marie Reed Elementary School
Marie Reed Elementary School. Click to expand.
"FoodPrints' hands-on learning model is able to engage students through a variety of experiential learning opportunities. During our "Cooking with Independence" lesson at Marie Reed, one of our 5th graders, Cesar, came in seemingly off, his hood on, head down, not engaging. Once we got into our following directions activity, where students practice writing step by step directions for tasks they're familiar with, he became so excited and even stepped up to share! In the garden, he became our lead horseweed identifier. His mood completely shifted once we got our hands busy!"
Mckinley Technology High School
Mckinley Technology High School. Click to expand.
"This October, McKinley Tech Green Getters had a special workshop on Composting. Students also planted fall cover crops and garlic, painted in the garden, and cooked spooky food harvested from the garden to celebrate Halloween."
Miner Elementary School
Miner Elementary School. Click to expand.
"Since some students were nervous to try new foods, we practiced exploring with our other senses before tasting. After spending time smelling and licking our chopped veggies, Carri proudly took a bite. "I love cucumbers!," he said."
Mundo Verde Bilingual Public Charter School- J.F. Cook Campus
Mundo Verde Bilingual Public Charter School- J.F. Cook Campus. Click to expand.
"Around the World in 5 Days Menu, Garden Market lead by 5th grade students, Trash Clean up open to both campuses, Pollution Patrol Activities lead by 4th and 5th grade students, Bike Bus for community members at each campus, Diversity Fair".
Payne Elementary School
Payne Elementary School. Click to expand.
"In our lesson, "Eat the Rainbow," we learned how different colored fruits and vegetables indicate how they help our bodies. Students remembered at the end of class that red foods were good for the heart and green foods were good for fingernails and teeth. They also remembered that orange foods have vitamin C and Rafa shared that "carrots are good for our eyes." In the second part of our FoodPrints class, students prepared and ate Colorful Kale salad!"
Peabody Elementary School (Capitol Hill Cluster)
Peabody Elementary School (Capitol Hill Cluster). Click to expand.
"In our lesson on composting, students cut plants into small pieces that were removed from the garden. Phoenix said "I love compost because it's good for the plants and the soil." Students then pulled out a carrot and talked about how a lot of food we eat grows in the soil. We also talked about why diverting food waste from landfills to compost can help take care of long term soil health."
Powell Elementary School
Powell Elementary School. Click to expand.
"In our lesson called "Fall Harvest Celebrations", students were prompted to think about where different fruits and vegetables come from. They investigated books about food from around the world. After looking at our seasonality chart, students pointed out the season with the most to harvest is fall! Students understood we were currently in fall by comparing what we were growing in our garden to the seasonality chart. They identified temperature as a reason for why so many fruits and vegetables are available in the fall. However, after examining harvest celebrations throughout the world in their books, they pointed out that not everywhere in the world experiences fall at the same time, making their celebrations different. We ended class with some exploration and observation of seasonal fruits and vegetables."
Raymond Elementary School
Raymond Elementary School. Click to expand.
Roots Public Charter School
Roots Public Charter School. Click to expand.
School-Within-School at Goding
School-Within-School at Goding. Click to expand.
"In our lesson about seed dispersal, students learned the importance of seeds, specifically sunflower seeds. The students have watched sunflowers grow in the FoodPrints garden and they have learned about them in their science class. Combining their outdoor, classroom, and FoodPrints knowledge, students made sunflower seed packets and wrote out information sheets! They then shared these with their parents, eager to share their expertise!"
School Without Walls at Francis Stevens
School Without Walls at Francis Stevens. Click to expand.
"PreK students were excited to explore their school garden as part of our "Exploring Our Five Senses" lesson. Students watered and observed the plants in different stages of growing, and harvested carrots and beets. Kohen said, "We should be kind to plants because they are important." They felt pride in taking care of their plants. One student, E'Man, was having a hard day, but when he got to the garden and Ms. Soleil showed him how to pick a bean, he was ecstatic. He brought the bean back inside and ate it!" FRESHFARM FOODPRINTS
Simon Elementary School
Simon Elementary School. Click to expand.
"In our lesson "Seed Dispersal," we discussed how plants reproduce and spread their pollen and seeds. When we made Bean and Corn salad, we highlighted several of our ingredients that were seeds, including corn and beans. Everyone realized that these were seeds we actually eat and can be eaten uncooked! Learning that the foods we eat are plant parts, like seeds, brought a new curiosity and excitement to eating and growing fresh food."
Spring Valley- Apple Tree Institute
Spring Valley- Apple Tree Institute. Click to expand.
"Commitment to daily movement and mindfulness activities."
The Children’s Guild District of Columbia Public Charter School
The Children’s Guild District of Columbia Public Charter School. Click to expand.
"We had a chance to promote Healthy Eating and Create our own Fruit salad with Our students."
Truesdell Elementary School
Truesdell Elementary School. Click to expand.
"In the garden, the students looked under our winter crop leaves to make sure there weren't any bugs eating our food. They were taken back that there were indeed bugs! Students carefully brushed off the aphids eating a lettuce leaf. Ms. Virginia explained that this is what normally happens when we grow food, especially since we don't spray any hard chemicals on our vegetables. One student said her favorite part of the FoodPrints class was digging up and loosening the soil in the garden."
Tubman Elementary School
Tubman Elementary School. Click to expand.
"We have done structured recess to ensure all students are participating and moving at recess. We provide all students a safe space in every classroom if they need a moment to themselves and/or to process feelings."
Tyler Elementary School
Tyler Elementary School. Click to expand.
"One student, Alex, has strong sensory sensitivities and usually opts out of participating, but in his October FoodPrints class, he not only cooked along with his classmates but really enjoyed eating the cranberries from the Colorful Kale Salad! His teacher was very impressed that he liked the cranberries, and shared that she was going to relay this information to his father, as they have been struggling to find new things that he is willing to eat."
Watkins Elementary School
Watkins Elementary School. Click to expand.
"A new 4th grade student, Kingston, really enjoyed his first FoodPrints class. He excitedly shared, "I rate foodprints a billion out of 10! I didn't know we could pet bees, cook, and go to the garden at school. I want to bring my grandma!""
Whittier Elementary School
Whittier Elementary School. Click to expand.
"During the month of October, Whittier’s Garden Committee organized a fall pumpkin sale and decorating contest. Engaging in family fun activities that promote creativity and exploration provide a hands on healthy activity for all! Here are some examples!"
Amidon-Bowen Elementary School
"Every class will have a FoodPrints lesson this month in which we learn about, work with, and taste seasonal local produce, some of which comes from our school garden, and some of which comes from farms in the region."
Ann Beers Elementary School
"our "Worms in the Garden'' lesson, students learned the significance of worms, and how they keep our soil healthy. They even got to have hands-on exploration with some worms! Dallas was scared of the worms at first, but with time, was touching and closely observing them by the end of class. Students also cooked homemade kale chips and ate apple slices."
Bridges Public Charter School
"Bridges 1st grade class participating in their weekly Garden and Life science class. They participated in making their own salad & harvesting vegetables."
Brightwood Elementary School
"Fall harvest and the beginning of our Outdoors learning Program."
Briya Public Charter School
"We spend lots of time outside every day, we planted flowers and bulbs with pre-k students, we are learning about where our food comes from and made pumpkin muffins"
Capitol Hill Montessori @ Logan
Coolidge High School
C.W. Harris Elementary School
DC Bilingual Public Charter School
Friendship Public Charter School- Woodridge Elementary School
F. S. Key Elementary School
"Key School held its Annual Spooky Fun Run/Walk on October 28th. Students prepared by running warm-up laps before PE Class and participating in active play during recess."
Garfield Elementary School
"In our lesson, "The Importance of Photosynthesis", we started class by asking why plants grow leaves, which led to a discussion of the different types of leaves we see near where we live. Ms Raigon then performed a demonstration -- with leaf, root, stem, water, and sun cut-outs -- on the different parts of photosynthesis, which hammered the ideas home. Quintarrus summed it up: "Plants need water, soil, sunlight, space, and love.""
Garrison Elementary School
Ingenuity Prep Public Charter School
John Burroughs Elementary School
"After learning about the process of photosynthesis, students had a new appreciation for plants and the Earth. Dominic said, "without plants all the animals would die and we wouldn't exist!" Jazmine added on, "we need plants so they can give us oxygen." After learning the significance of leaves, students went to the garden to observe and draw leaf structures involved in photosynthesis."
Kimball Elementary School
"In our lesson, "Exploring Soil," students observed and explored their own soil samples. Separating what they found, they checked off what they saw on their "Soil Dissection" worksheet. Each group had worms on the table in their soil. With this new understanding and appreciation for soil, students colored a root vegetable worksheet."
Langley Elementary school
"In our lesson, "The Three Sisters," we learned about "interdependent" ecosystems and the indigenous tale of the three sisters, beans, corn, and squash; when planted together, they help eachother grow. Students grasped the idea that plants can rely on each other to aid their growth. When we went out to the Langley Food Forest, we discovered how biotic and abiotic forces make up our garden ecosystem. We found bugs, bees, birds, leaves, flowers, trees, and vines as biotic forces, while metal screws, stones, dead leaves, and the fence made up our abiotic parts. Students finished their garden visit by joyfully exploring and finding a butterfly weed seed pod on the ground, and students all took turns sharing their discovery and blowing their seeds into the wind!"
Latin American Montessori Bilingual Public Charter School
Leckie Elementary School
Ludlow-Taylor Elementary School
"In our lesson called “Plant Families”, students learned that plants in the same family have similar characteristics. Plants from the cucurbit, brassica, nightshade, and legume families were placed on tables and students sorted each one into groups based on their shape. Students explained their reasoning for sorting and discussed the characteristics that differentiate the plant families. When visiting the garden, students were asked to identify a plant from each family that was growing in the garden. We paid special attention to the legumes and talked about how they are nitrogen fixers and why it is important to have nitrogen available in the soil."
Malcolm X Elementary School
"In our lesson, "Advertising and Food Choices", students learned that advertisements influence our food choices. We watched two commercials (for Takis and for a vegetable). A lot of the students cheered when they saw the Collard Greens! When asked how they would get other children to try Collard Greens, they said, "I would tell them that it makes you grow big and strong!" and "I would tell them they are very yummy!" After making Colorful Kale Salad, they were even more convinced to make their own advertisement about nutritious foods!"
Marie Reed Elementary School
"FoodPrints' hands-on learning model is able to engage students through a variety of experiential learning opportunities. During our "Cooking with Independence" lesson at Marie Reed, one of our 5th graders, Cesar, came in seemingly off, his hood on, head down, not engaging. Once we got into our following directions activity, where students practice writing step by step directions for tasks they're familiar with, he became so excited and even stepped up to share! In the garden, he became our lead horseweed identifier. His mood completely shifted once we got our hands busy!"
P"ulling weeds in our school garden and cooking with fresh food together."
Mckinley Technology High School
"This October, McKinley Tech Green Getters had a special workshop on Composting. Students also planted fall cover crops and garlic, painted in the garden, and cooked spooky food harvested from the garden to celebrate Halloween."
"Weekly garden club meetings which include cooking produce from the garden, planting, watering, and weeding. We have a partnership with Common Good City Farms."
Miner Elementary School
"Since some students were nervous to try new foods, we practiced exploring with our other senses before tasting. After spending time smelling and licking our chopped veggies, Carri proudly took a bite. "I love cucumbers!," he said."
Mundo Verde Bilingual Public Charter School- J.F. Cook Campus
"Around the World in 5 Days Menu, Garden Market lead by 5th grade students, Trash Clean up open to both campuses, Pollution Patrol Activities lead by 4th and 5th grade students, Bike Bus for community members at each campus, Diversity Fair".
"Each week Mundo Verde families meet up at a specific location (Alethia Tanner & Florida Ave Parks for our JF Cook campus and Turkey Thicket for our Calle Ocho campus) and ride bikes and scooters to school together. This is a great way to encourage more people to ditch their cars, move their bodies, and demand safe streets for all. Even if it’s just one day per week, it makes a difference. This continues to be a beautiful opportunity for parents to take the lead on eco initiatives and spread happiness throughout the school community. Students arrive at school smiling and proud of themselves for making the journey, no matter how long or short, on their bicycles."
Payne Elementary School
"In our lesson, "Eat the Rainbow," we learned how different colored fruits and vegetables indicate how they help our bodies. Students remembered at the end of class that red foods were good for the heart and green foods were good for fingernails and teeth. They also remembered that orange foods have vitamin C and Rafa shared that "carrots are good for our eyes." In the second part of our FoodPrints class, students prepared and ate Colorful Kale salad!"
Peabody Elementary School (Capitol Hill Cluster)
"In our lesson on composting, students cut plants into small pieces that were removed from the garden. Phoenix said "I love compost because it's good for the plants and the soil." Students then pulled out a carrot and talked about how a lot of food we eat grows in the soil. We also talked about why diverting food waste from landfills to compost can help take care of long term soil health."
Powell Elementary School
"In our lesson called "Fall Harvest Celebrations", students were prompted to think about where different fruits and vegetables come from. They investigated books about food from around the world. After looking at our seasonality chart, students pointed out the season with the most to harvest is fall! Students understood we were currently in fall by comparing what we were growing in our garden to the seasonality chart. They identified temperature as a reason for why so many fruits and vegetables are available in the fall. However, after examining harvest celebrations throughout the world in their books, they pointed out that not everywhere in the world experiences fall at the same time, making their celebrations different. We ended class with some exploration and observation of seasonal fruits and vegetables."
Raymond Elementary School
Roots Public Charter School
School-Within-School at Goding
"In our lesson about seed dispersal, students learned the importance of seeds, specifically sunflower seeds. The students have watched sunflowers grow in the FoodPrints garden and they have learned about them in their science class. Combining their outdoor, classroom, and FoodPrints knowledge, students made sunflower seed packets and wrote out information sheets! They then shared these with their parents, eager to share their expertise!"
School Without Walls at Francis Stevens
"PreK students were excited to explore their school garden as part of our "Exploring Our Five Senses" lesson. Students watered and observed the plants in different stages of growing, and harvested carrots and beets. Kohen said, "We should be kind to plants because they are important." They felt pride in taking care of their plants. One student, E'Man, was having a hard day, but when he got to the garden and Ms. Soleil showed him how to pick a bean, he was ecstatic. He brought the bean back inside and ate it!" FRESHFARM FOODPRINTS
Simon Elementary School
"In our lesson "Seed Dispersal," we discussed how plants reproduce and spread their pollen and seeds. When we made Bean and Corn salad, we highlighted several of our ingredients that were seeds, including corn and beans. Everyone realized that these were seeds we actually eat and can be eaten uncooked! Learning that the foods we eat are plant parts, like seeds, brought a new curiosity and excitement to eating and growing fresh food."
Spring Valley- Apple Tree Institute
"Commitment to daily movement and mindfulness activities."
The Children’s Guild District of Columbia Public Charter School
"We had a chance to promote Healthy Eating and Create our own Fruit salad with Our students."
Truesdell Elementary School
"In the garden, the students looked under our winter crop leaves to make sure there weren't any bugs eating our food. They were taken back that there were indeed bugs! Students carefully brushed off the aphids eating a lettuce leaf. Ms. Virginia explained that this is what normally happens when we grow food, especially since we don't spray any hard chemicals on our vegetables. One student said her favorite part of the FoodPrints class was digging up and loosening the soil in the garden."
Tubman Elementary School
"We have done structured recess to ensure all students are participating and moving at recess. We provide all students a safe space in every classroom if they need a moment to themselves and/or to process feelings."
Tyler Elementary School
"One student, Alex, has strong sensory sensitivities and usually opts out of participating, but in his October FoodPrints class, he not only cooked along with his classmates but really enjoyed eating the cranberries from the Colorful Kale Salad! His teacher was very impressed that he liked the cranberries, and shared that she was going to relay this information to his father, as they have been struggling to find new things that he is willing to eat."
Watkins Elementary School
"A new 4th grade student, Kingston, really enjoyed his first FoodPrints class. He excitedly shared, "I rate foodprints a billion out of 10! I didn't know we could pet bees, cook, and go to the garden at school. I want to bring my grandma!""
Whittier Elementary School
"During the month of October, Whittier’s Garden Committee organized a fall pumpkin sale and decorating contest. Engaging in family fun activities that promote creativity and exploration provide a hands on healthy activity for all! Here are some examples!"