Jacobsville Elementary Receives Wellness Award

Jacobsville Elementary was one of three schools to receive the first-ever Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) Wellness Schools of Distinction Award. The award recognizes schools that display a consistent effort to promote the health and well being of students, staff and school support­ers, according to the AACPS website.

In order to qualify for the Wellness Award, schools had to go above and beyond to establish six of the eight components of a coordinated school health program, which was outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The eight components include health education, physical activity, allied health personnel partnerships, nutrition, mental wellness, school environment, staff health, and family/community involvement, according to AACPS.

Sharon Herring, principal at Jacobsville, was humbled by the award.

“We have been doing a lot of things at Jacobsville to promote wellness, but were still very surprised,” Herring said. “We were really excited because we just didn’t expect it.”

The school has sponsored several activities to promote wellness. They have introduced a fresh fruit Tuesday, where teachers encourage their students to bring healthy snacks. They also promote mental health through different group activities.

The staff at Jacobsville participates in a “Biggest Loser” (weight loss) competition and students take an active role in Jump Rope for Heart, an event sponsored by the American Heart Association. These events help send the message that wellness, both physical and mental, is an important issue.