At the 2014 Legacy Summit April 17, the Colorado Education Initiative, formerly the Colorado Legacy Foundation, recognized Skyview Middle School in Falcon School District 49 for its efforts to improve the health of its students.The school received a $1,000 award based on the results of the schoolís Healthy School Championsí Score Card.The Healthy School Championsí Score Card is a voluntary online self-evaluation tool developed in 2010 by the Colorado Department of Education and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said Sara Bracken, strategic engagement and communications associate for the Colorado Education Initiative.In 2011, CEI came on board to update and manage the program. Bracken said CEI is an independent nonprofit organization that works directly with the CDE and school districts across the state to elevate achievement in districts statewide. ìWe equip teachers, leaders, community partners and other organizations with various tools and resources to help drive education.î The Score Card is just one of those tools, she said.Tony Marino, physical education teacher and co-leader for Skyviewís Coordinated School Health Team, said the school has participated in the Score Card for two years and received a $2,500 award in 2013. ìFor two years in a row, weíre considered one of the bigger winners,î Marino said. ìObviously, weíre doing something right at Skyview Middle School.ìLast year, we got $2,500 based on the breakfast program and the success of that and having over 100 students every day participating in it. This year as well Ö and weíve also implemented technology into physical education by using iPads to enter fitness data.îBesides the CDE and the CDPHE, the Score Card awards are supported by RMC Health and the Colorado Coalition for Healthy Schools.Marino said Skyview takes health seriously, not just the health of the students but also the staff and community. ìWe want to be known as a leader in the community and the district for our healthy practices and trying to make the environment and classrooms healthy places for everyone,î he said. ìWe want to get the word out that we are trying to change lives not just physically but mentally and socially as well.î
