Cool Springs Elementary School, a 2024 Healthy Kids grantee, will allow students to use functional fitness and yoga equipment to combine the 5 C's (contributor, collaborator, critical thinker, communicator, creator) with their 5 components of fitness.
The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia has awarded $19,130 to eleven schools in Northern Virginia through its 2024 Healthy Kids Grants. Schools awarded will be implementing new or reinforcing established programs focused on students’ nutrition, physical activity, or better mental health in the 2024-2025 school year. Over the course of fourteen years, the Healthy Kids Grants have awarded over $200,000 in support of healthy lifestyles through increased exercise, balanced nutrition, and constructive mental health practices.
Schools are where most young people aged 5-17 spend a significant portion of their time. “Because schools are the only institutions that can reach nearly all youth, they are in a unique position to improve both the education and health status of young people throughout the nation.” (Fisher, C.; et.al., Center for Disease Control and Prevention). The Healthy Kids Grants administered by the Community Foundation are effective because they are awarded each year to individual public schools in Northern Virginia who implement a program or strategy that encourage better nutrition, more physical activity, or better mental health among their student body during the school year.
It is important to the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia that our area’s youth adopt conscious, healthy habits. We found upsetting results in our January 2023 Insight Region Report, The Shape of Youth Mental Health. The report shared Virginia School Survey’s January – March 2022 responses dictated “All told, 47 percent of high school students in Northern Virginia experienced recent, clinical levels of anxiety/depression or past-year mental health need (persistent sadness and/or suicidal thinking).”
The Community Foundation is driven to combat these growing statistics. Devon Bacso of Smarts Middle School, a 2024 Healthy Kids Grants awardee, says,
“Thank you so much for helping us create a calm regulation zone for students. We can't wait for this space to be up and running so teachers are able to instruct students who are more present and "online" for learning and so that our student body can practice healthy coping skills!”
These grants are supported by The Permanent Fund for Northern Virginia, our endowment supporting critical need throughout the region. To learn more about our Healthy Kids Grants program visit here.
Congratulations to all 2024 Healthy Kids Grants Recipients!
Bonnie Brae Elementary School | Mental Health | $2,000
Fairfax County
This project will allow any grade level to use an outdoor space as a classroom outdoors when learning, reading, and exploring science labs.
Briar Woods High School | Mental Health | $2,000
Loudoun County
This project will help bring awareness to mental health, build resiliency, while also helping students to increase protective factors.
Cedar Lane High School | Physical Activity/Nutrition | $2,000
Fairfax County
The project will allow Cedar Lane School Boxing Club participants to have nutritious food before being transported off-site to participate in the weekly after-school boxing club activity.
Cool Spring Elementary School | Physical Activity/Nutrition | $2,000
Loudoun County
This project will allow students to use functional fitness and yoga equipment to combine the 5 C's (contributor, collaborator, critical thinker, communicator, creator) with our 5 components of fitness.
Falls Church Education Foundation | Mental Health | $2,000
Falls Church
This program is a student-led movement to change the culture around mental health and prevent teen suicide. Its areas of focus are increasing help-seeking behaviors, promoting social connectedness and prosocial behavior, and encouraging self-care and healthy habits.
Jefferson Middle School | Physical Activity/Nutrition | $1,500
Arlington County
A means of storing fruit and vegetables for children to eat after school, after sports practices and after-school activities.
Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School | Physical Activity/Nutrition | $2,000
Alexandria
Fourth and fifth grade students will walk or exercise for ten minutes for three of five days each week. Nutrition lessons on healthy food choices will continue.
Smarts Middle School | Mental Health | $1,380
Loudoun County
This project will focus on mental health using evidence-based practices/The Zen Den will have a flexible sensory environment such as dim lighting, calming sounds/music, and comfortable seating.
Stone Bridge High School | Mental Health | $2,000
Loudoun County
This project will allow approximately 1650 HS students to be better able identify and cope with feelings and everyday stressors.
Washington-Liberty High School | Physical Activity/Nutrition | $250
Arlington County
This project will allow 120 9th graders to analyze and evaluate their eating habits, specifically if they are reaching their micronutrient needs.
Woodbridge High School | Mental Health | $2,000
Prince William County
This project will allow approximately 1650 high school students to be better able identify and cope with feelings and everyday stressors.
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