We are proud to announce that our Superintendent, Jonathan Vasquez, has been recognized with this year’s 2017 Healthy School Hero Award by the Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK)!
Every year, AFHK recognizes educators across the country for their work to improve health, nutrition, and physical activity among students. This year, Superintendent Vasquez will be 1 of 12 educators recognized for being the driving force behind the district’s school wellness initiatives.
In 2011, Superintendent Vasquez helped form a partnership with the local hospital, PIH Health, to create a health collaborative called “Healthy Los Nietos.” The goal was to minimize childhood obesity and strengthen nutrition and physical education in the community. Through the collaborative, Los Nietos School District worked with local health agencies to bring free health screenings, health fairs, and health education to students, parents, and staff.
“I want to ensure that students have access to nutritious food, to health education for themselves and their parents, and to adults who model healthy habits,” said Superintendent Jonathan Vasquez, “in order to create an environment where they can optimally perform, both in their academics and in life.”
Healthy Los Nietos has also brought more food options to the Los Nietos school cafeterias, a grab-n-go lunch program, healthy fundraisers, Harvest of the Month classroom lessons, and a “Promotoras de Salud” program for parents. We are very proud of the work Superintendent Vasquez and the district staff are doing to promote a Healthy Los Nietos!