H i g h ma r k F o un dat i o n - f un d e d “C a st l e S a l a d B a r ”
p r o v i d e s H e a lt hy e at i ng o pt i o ns f o r H i l lc r e st
I nt e r m e d i at e stu d e nts
S
tudents at Hillcrest Intermediate are eating healthier these days, thanks to the
Highmark Foundation. Hillcrest was awarded a “Creating A Healthy School
Environment” grant from the Highmark Foundation for $4,000. This grant supported
the creation of “The Castle Salad Bar.”
“Studies illustrate that healthy habits children develop at a young age will continue
with them through adulthood, so it makes sense to start children on the right path in
schools,” said Highmark Foundation President Yvonne Cook. “The Highmark Foundation
is proud to support the hard work of Hillcrest Intermediate and hundreds of school
districts and other community-based programs that educate children and families about
the benefits of healthy nutrition and eating habits.”
Mrs. Natalie McCracken, Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education shared
her thoughts on the positive impact the salad bar has had at Hillcrest as follows: “The
salad bar is a wonderful addition to the cafeteria at Hillcrest Intermediate School. It
is important for our students to put into practice what they have learned about good
nutrition and making healthy choices. The salad bar affords them this opportunity daily.”
In addition to the exposure students receive to nutritional information through their
Physical Education/Health curriculum, this grant afforded us the opportunity to survey students to find out their
healthy eating habits and preferences. This survey opportunity opened up a discussion with students about their
eating habits and caused them to think more intentionally about the food choices they make daily. It is our hope that
providing access to healthy nutrition information while providing access to a variety of attractive fruit and vegetable
options will hopefully encourage students to make choices that will result in a healthier lifestyle for years to come. Our
cafeteria already offered a wonderful array of fruits and whole grains, but the salad bar provides additional exposure
for students to experiment with a wider variety of fruit and vegetable options.
Hillcrest takes pride in yet another wonderful opportunity to impact the health and well-being of all students.
We are hopeful that the good habits established at this stage of our students’ development will result in a lifetime
of making healthy choices. We are truly thankful that the Highmark Foundation has afforded this opportunity to
positively impact the physical health of our 800 fifth and sixth graders.
Norwin | Summer 2016 | icmags.com 53
N orwin school district News
orwin recently formed a new
sports team: The Unified Track and
Field Team, organized through Special
Olympics PA and comprised of Special
Olympics-eligible athletes as well
as other student athletes. The team
competed in several meets against
other Unified Track and Field teams from
Belle Vernon, Franklin Regional, and
Mt. Pleasant, including a championship
meet in which one team qualified to
go to the PIAA Track and Field State
Championship.
The athletes worked very hard and
were excited to participate in the season.
The Norwin Unified Track and Field
Coaches are Alyssa Rittenhouse, CJ
Chairge and Lauren Karcher.
Nor win
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