The California Superintendent�s Challenge was a coordinated effort between the California Superintendent of Public Instruction, Jack O�Connell and the California Task Force on Youth and Workplace Wellness. The Superintendent�s Challenge was a challenge to all local school districts across California to improve the health of their students through the development and implementation of policies that promote healthy eating and regular physical activity for all students and ensure quality instructional programs in these topics.

Even during difficult budget times, nutrition and physical activity should be a priority for all schools and districts. Healthy, active, well-nourished children are more likely to attend school and are more prepared and motivated to learn. Our schools have an exceptional opportunity to guide children toward healthier lifestyles, and the passage of nutrition and physical activity policies is the first step toward providing a healthy learning environment for all students.

Over thirty school districts across California took up The Challenge by passing and implementing nutrition and/or physical activity policies. Each of these districts received recognition from the Superintendent�s office, the California Department of Education (CDE) and the California State Senate. However, five of the most exemplary districts were chosen as �winners� of the Challenge award and received an award plaque and a cash award from Stonyfield Farms in recognition of their efforts.

For Case Studies on the five state-wide winners of the Challenge, please�

The Superintendent�s Challenge winners were selected based on the following eight major criteria that focus on scope and implementation:

• Passage of District Nutrition and/or Physical Activity Policy: In order for districts to qualify for the Challenge, the district governing board by November 1, 2003 had to adopt a district-wide nutrition and/or physical activity policy. Only districts with both adopted policies and the ability to demonstrate implementation efforts were considered.



• Policy Impact on Nutrition and/or Physical Activity: The Challenge recognized innovation in all areas of school food sales affected by district policy. Winning districts had to address at least one of the following areas school meals, ala carte food sales, beverages, fundraisers, and vending machine policies. The Challenge also recognized innovation in all areas of physical fitness, education, and physical activity.



• Breadth of Student Impact: The Challenge gave preference to policies designed to improve the health of all district students. Points were awarded based on the number of grades and students affected by each portion of the district�s nutrition and/or physical activity policy and implementation.



• Breadth of School Community Impact: The Challenge gave preference to districts that adopted policies with a broad impact on the school and its community, including faculty health and community hunger.



• Policy Impact on Environment: The Challenge gave preference to districts that adopted policies which address additional components of a healthy school environment, including cultural sensitivity, mealtime length, hunger, marketing of school meal programs, and messages regarding the value of quality physical education. Special consideration was given to those district policies that provided for the integration of nutrition education and/or garden based learning.



• Student, Parent, and Community Involvement: The Challenge encouraged the engagement of students, families, and the community in the creation and implementation of any nutrition and/or physical activity policy.



• Sustainability: The Challenge gave preference to districts that demonstrated efforts to sustain, enforce, and update nutrition and/or physical activity policies.



• Connectivity to State and/or Regional Efforts: To be effective, we in the educational community must work collaboratively with those that share our mission. The application for the Challenge inquired about districts� efforts to coordinate with state and/or regional programs including, but not limited to local food security initiatives, the Fitnessgram, and the California Department of Health Services� Nutrition Network, California Project LEAN, 5 a Day Campaign, and Healthy Eating and Childhood Overweight Prevention grants.