April 15, 2014 - Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett presented a joint proclamation to Knox County Schools Superintendent Dr. Jim McIntyre today, celebrating Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Technology Academy's designation as a "Let's Move!" Active School.
Both Knoxville and Knox County have already been designated as an official city and county in the National League of Cities' Let's Move! Cities, Towns and Counties initiative. Last April, Knoxville and Knox County were both ranked first in the nation.
Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett presented a joint proclamation to Knox County Schools Superintendent Dr. Jim McIntyre
"We were honored to receive the top ranking last year in an initiative that invests in the future health and fitness of our youth and battles obesity," Mayor Rogero said. "It takes a community to address nationwide epidemics such as this one, and we thank the staff at Sarah Moore Greene and Knox County Schools for joining in the effort."
"This award is a great example of the things that can be achieved by working together," said Mayor Burchett. "The Knox County Health Department, the City of Knoxville and Knox County Schools continue to work together to help improve the health of our children, and it's good to see such success at school like Sarah Moore Greene."
The "Let's Move!" Active School designation entails five elements:
1) Physical education
2) Physical activity during school
3) Physical activity before and after school
4) Staff Involvement
5) Family and community engagement
Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Technology Academy qualified by offering a community garden, after-school clubs such as the Cardiac Kids Club, nutrition programs such as Breakfast in the Classroom, and creative physical education programs introduced by the school's staff.
Other considerations that achieved the designation for Sarah Moore Greene included the Whole Foods Gardening grant, a Project Diabetes grant from the State of Tennessee Health Department, the Tennessee Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom Award, the national White Reinhart Award for Gardening, and Assistant Principal Tanna Nicely's appointment to the advisory council for the National Gardening Association.
In order to engage the community, staff at Sarah Moore Greene established partnerships with the nearby Knoxville Botanical Gardens and the Tennessee Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom.
The designation is part of First Lady Michelle Obama's effort launched in 2010 to address the rising childhood obesity epidemic.
"We know that children who eat healthy and are physically active often perform better in school," said Dr. McIntyre, "so it's especially exciting to see a school staff find unique ways to encourage activity for the benefit of students. We appreciate the leadership of Principal Reggie Mosley and Assistant Principal Nicely in supporting this important initiative."
After the Mayors presented their proclamation to Dr. McIntyre and Principal Mosley, students from the school performed the "Let's Move!" Flash Mob, an official choreographed dance to a song by entertainment artist Beyoncé, who recorded the song especially for the national "Let's Move!" effort.
The staff at Sarah Moore Greene are some of the organizing partners for the Knoxville "Let's Move!" Event, spearheaded by Knox County Coordinated School Health and the City of Knoxville Parks and Recreation Department.
To be held on Saturday, May 3, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Victor Ashe Park, the free event will offer 75 activity stations in which families may sample nutritional snacks and try physical activities such as rock climbing, kayaking, various organized sports and more in an effort to encourage Knoxville youth to eat healthier and move more outside.