Christian Park School 82 is a Gold Level 2004-2005 Healthy Hoosier School Award recipient.

With a balanced diet, regular physical activity and the confidence to make good lifestyle choices, students at Christian Park School will:

• have more energy to devote to studies,

• have a more positive & happy outlook,

• be able to concentrate better,

• stay at a healthy weight,

• get fewer illnesses,

• feel less stressed,

• not get bored so easily,

• sleep better at night.

To meet these goals, Christian Park School has developed partnerships with a diverse set of organizations.

Awarded the US Department of Agriculture's Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, all students at Christian Park School are given a healthy midmorning snack of fresh fruit or vegetables. By providing this snack to our students, they will not only develop positive snacking habits, but their energy level will remain high during key instructional times.

In partnership with Wishard Health Services, Midtown Community Mental Health Services operates in the school providing services for students who have mental health needs. By working in the school, there is a greater level of coordination and communication between mental heath providers, school personnel and families.

For students with significant social development needs, Password Community Mentoring agency has staffed a 5:1 Community Mentor in the school to work in very small groups with high needs children. Using the Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets, the mentor works with the teachers, families and community to help develop a healthy mental outlook within these students' families.

Following the Presidential Active Lifestyle Program, students in grade 3 * 6 log their physical activity each day. The goal is to have students physically active for 60 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Students meeting this goal 6 weeks are considered to have met the Presidential Active Lifestyle goal for the grading period.

Students in all grades take part in the Jump Rope for Heart program each year. Jump Rope for Heart promotes the value of physical activity to elementary school children while showing them they can contribute to their community's welfare. Students not only raise money for the American Heart Association, they also learn about the seriousness of heart disease and stroke, the lifelong benefits of physical activity, and the importance of living a heart-healthy lifestyle.

Working with our Food Service Department, we work to ensure students have well rounded meals for breakfast and lunch that meet the USDA's New Food Guidance System. Things like candy, chips and pops have been removed from the school, helping to ensure students are not tempted by poor food choices for a meal while in school.

Tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease - five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever. Working with the Mobile Dentist, children at Christian Park needing to be seen by a dentist receive cleanings, fluoride treatments and referrals for additional low or no cost dental work. Working out of the school, parents do not have to lose wages or take time off for dental appointments. This ensures that the children regularly receive the critical dental services they need.

Working with the Marion County Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, all students in grades K & 1 are screened for lead poisoning free of charge. Students testing positive for high levels of lead in the bloodstream receive intervention and follow-up services from the MCHD.