Schools Partnerships

Healthy Schools Program

Since 2011, PAL has been working with area schools and school districts interested in wellness programs and policies. Healthier Generation’s "Healthy Schools Program" is the foundation for our work with schools. The Healthier Generation framework focuses on a coordinated approach that fosters healthy eating, physical activity and emotional wellness for students, staff and families.

From 2016 - 2020, PAL was the implementation partner for the Spartanburg Healthy Schools Initiative. Our partnerships with Spartanburg School Districts 1, 2, 3, and 6, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, and the Mary Black Foundation enabled us to provide essential tools and resources for improving the health of Spartanburg’s children, families, and community at-large. PAL supported the four Spartanburg School Districts and nine schools with developing and implementing best-practice models to be expanded to other schools in Spartanburg.

  • 4 new walking tracks and 5 schools with marked miles indoors and/or outdoors being used by staff and students
  • The Initiative led to many improvements at the participating schools including:
    • All 9 schools held community events, engagements and educational opportunities for families and the general community
    • New Kaboom playground with open community access was built in Boiling Springs
    • All 9 schools launched Rethink Your Drink campaigns; 10 upgraded bottle filling stations; 1 outdoor water station has been installed near open access walking track; 1 infused water station being used to encourage middle school students to choose water
    • 6 schools implemented Smarter Lunchroom techniques by adding student art, CATCH messaging, Fuel Up To Play 60 messaging, simple healthy choices marketing tools, healthier cooking equipment, and/or healthy choice programming like taste tests and ‘Go Food of the Day’ promotion
    • All 9 schools increased student physical activity through GoNoodle and other classroom based interventions, before and after school physical activity opportunities

In addition, PAL's Schools Coordinator provides coordination of the Annual BMI Survey, supports Walk/Bike to School Day events, provides technical assistance to schools applying for additional funds to support implementation of school action plans, and serves on the Spartanburg School District 7 CSHAC committee that addresses health and wellness policies across its District. The Schools Coordinator serves as the consistent healthy schools contact for the county across the seven school districts. 

2018-19 BMI summary for Spartanburg County

2021-22 BMI SUMMARY FOR SPARTANBURG COUNTY

Error Message