Schools

School Challenge Grants

Obesity in children and adolescents is a serious issue with many health and social consequences that often continue into adulthood. We are well aware of the importance of good nutrition and physical activity in reversing the current trends and preventing the early onset of chronic disease in young people. But we also realize the limitations schools face in acquiring resources to put programs in place to help students make healthy choices.

Highmark Healthy High 5 School Challenge

The Highmark Healthy High 5 School Challenge is a grant program designed to support schools in the effort to introduce programs that will ultimately create healthier, more successful students. Through the School Challenge grant program, we invite schools or school districts to submit proposals for innovative programming to improve nutrition education, nutrition services, or increase opportunities for physical activity or education.

In June 2007, the Highmark Foundation awarded more than $800,000 to 171 schools within its 49-county service region to provide schools more nutrition and physical activity offerings to help create lifelong healthy habits in children.

The schools that were awarded grants will use the funding for projects such as:

• Enhancing physical education by purchasing physical activity equipment
• Creating a biking program
• Supporting an "Eat Well for Life" program
• Constructing a climbing wall to improve physical activity
• Increasing healthy food choices in the cafeteria
• Opening a salad bar in the cafeteria

See the list of the 2007 Highmark Healthy High 5 School Challenge winning schools.