An organic breakfast featuring vanilla spiced whole oats, scrambled vegetable tofu, organic milk and local pears, followed by morning yoga in the classroom, a student-led garden tour and a visit to the chicken coop… what a wonderful way to spend a Tuesday morning! That day, I had the pleasure of attending a special ceremony with Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan at the Academy of Global Citizenship (AGC) in Chicago where she presented them with USDA’s HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) Gold of Distinction Award, the HUSSC’s highest honor. It was easy to see why they are the first school in Chicago and the entire Midwest to receive such an honor.
AGC is a new Chicago Public Charter School, founded in 2008. They are committed to environmental sustainability and child nutrition. The school believes in taking a holistic approach to the educational and nutritional curriculum of the students. That’s why they incorporate daily yoga, environmental education, wellness instruction, and organic gardening into the school day.
AGC has truly embraced the principles of the First Lady’s Let’s Move! initiative. They have incorporated the USDA HUSSC criteria into their school environment to raise a healthier generation of children. The HUSSC includes standards for school meals, nutrition education and physical activity. To receive the Gold of Distinction Award, schools must serve a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains in their school lunches. They must also provide students with nutrition education and 150 minutes of weekly physical activity.Congratulations to the Academy for Global Citizenship for a job well done.
