Healthy Kids Grants are awarded each year to individual public schools in Northern Virginia that implement a program or strategy to encourage better nutrition/ more physical activity, or better mental health among their student body during the school year. In its thirteenth year, the 2023 grants review committee has awarded $28,535 to fourteen school programs. Healthy Kids Grants are made possible by the Avalon Charitable Fund, the Chin Family Charitable Fund, the Minton Family Charitable Fund, and the JOY Charitable Fund, all of which are component funds at the Community Foundation.
Sari Raskin, Vice President of Grants and Community Leadership at the Community Foundation, said “We are thrilled to award 14 Healthy Kids Grants, focused on improving both the physical and mental health of students in our region. We are inspired by the creativity and commitment of educators and mental health professionals to deliver such meaningful programs.”
The following programs were selected:
Banneker Elementary School— Banneker Morning Run Club | $1,023
Loudoun County
This project will allow up to two hundred students grades Kindergarten through 5th grade to increase their cardiorespiratory endurance by participating in a morning running club which will be offered before school hours. The club will be offered during the entire school year and years to come.
Belvedere Elementary School PTA— Sensory Playground | $2,000
Fairfax County
This project will allow the entire population of Belvedere to bring sensory stimulation to play. It has been proven that sensory playgrounds increase physical activity, cognitive development, social and emotional development, and creative development.
Briar Woods High School— BWHS Black Student Alliance | $2,000
Loudoun County
BSA students are looking to provide the student body with several educational opportunities during Black History Month in hopes to improve understanding, acknowledging, and accepting black experience in the public school system.
BWHS PEER— Stress Less Laugh More | $2,000
Loudoun County
This project will target the entire school population of 1700+ students with various activities promoting healthy stress management techniques to improve mental health and wellness for their students.
Cedar Lane High School— Boxing Program and Supplementary Nutrition Program | $2,000
Fairfax County
The project will allow Cedar Lane School Boxing Club participants to have nutritious food before being transported off-site to participate in the weekly boxing club activity. There will be a second supplementary meal provided after the activity to help restore energy and .
Fred Lynn Middle School— Student Reflection Garden | $4,000*
Prince William County
This project will provide an open space with benches and native pollinators (flowering perennials) for students from 6th to 8th grade to sit in a natural area outside to experience nature.
Heritage High School— Sources of Strength Club Campaigns | $2,000
Loudoun County
The Sources of Strength Club campaigns for the 23-24 school year will allow the club to provide education, exploration and community wide support to approximately 1600 students. The main goal of Sources of Strength is to spread awareness about suicide prevention.
Hutchison Elementary— Wellness Wednesdays at Hutchison | $1,512
Fairfax County
Wellness Wednesdays will provide 1200+ students and staff a series of weekly wellness activities. Themes include Mindful Moments; Wellness Workouts; Gratitude Practice; Festive Fun Days; and Musical Minutes. For each theme, research and guidance will be provided to staff, students, and families.
Leesburg Elementary School— Girls on the Run | $2,000
Loudoun County
This project will support the development of girls' (3rd-5th grade) self-esteem, coping skills and social engagement through the use of physical exercise and emphasis on health.
McNair Elementary School— McNair-Heart Leaf Play Therapy | $2,000
Fairfax County
This project will allow students in preschool through 2nd grade to access regular play therapy from play therapists during the school day. The money will be used to pay therapists to connect with families to inform about benefits of early intervention and support them through the intake process.
Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School— Walking and Movement Program | $2,000
Alexandria
Fourth and fifth grade students will walk, exercise or move for ten minutes for three of five days. The Walking Program started in 2020-21 continues. Nutrition lessons will be added. Naomi L. Brooks Elementary (NLBES) Walking/Movement Program will increase student energy, focus and improve mood.
Rock Ridge High School— Rock Ridge Mental Wellness | $2,000
Loudoun County
This project will allow 32 Sources of Strength Peer Leaders and 24 PEER mentors to implement monthly schoolwide campaigns targeting mental wellness for the entire Rock Ridge High School student body (approximately 1,400 students).
Sources of Strength— Sources of Strength Monthly Campaigns | $2,000
Loudoun County
Sources of Strength implements monthly campaigns for 2,000 students to promote positive mental health and to create a positive and healthy school environment. Sources of Strength strives to prevent adverse outcomes by increasing well-being, help-seeking, resiliency, healthy coping, and belonging within their school.
Sugarland Elementary School— Girls Rule the Court Tennis Program | $2,000
Loudoun County
The Girls Rule the Court Tennis Program for girls in 3rd through 5th grade will promote health, wellness and teamwork while building their self-esteem through tennis. This program will help to empower young girls through play and female mentorship via the sport of tennis.
*Additional funding was generously given by an anonymous Donor Advised Fund holder
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