This week's healthy schools highlights

Aurora kindergarteners surprised with new bikes

What do you get when you mix 48 kindergarteners and 48 brand new bicycles? You end up with 48 smiles from ear to ear.

Wish For Wheels, Freight All Kinds and Alphapage recently sponsored an event at Lyn Knoll Elementary School, surprising every kindergartner with a new bicycle and helmet. Excitement filled the air as students were fitted with helmets and allowed to take their bikes for a spin in the school’s courtyard and playground area.

“I think this is cool,” said Brian Willis, kindergarten parent. “They are doing something for kids that (parents) don’t have the luxury to do themselves. They (students) see that there are rewards at the end of the rainbow.”

Joe Bean, president of Alphapage, LLC, said that his company was fortunate to be able to partner with Freight All Kinds, Inc. to make this event possible.

“For us, it’s really an honor and privilege,” Bean said. “To see the joy and happiness is great.”

Aurora teacher named Colorado P.E. Teacher of the Year

The Colorado Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance has selected Laredo Elementary School’s Leann Hepburn as the 2011 Colorado Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year.

The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated continuous dedication to the advocacy and enhancement of student learning in physical education in Colorado. Hepburn, who also was inducted into the Colorado Youth Soccer Hall of Fame, has taught physical education at Laredo for 12 years.

“Physical education and my students are dear to my heart,” Hepburn said. “What a fantastic thing to be recognized for doing something you love.”

Patricia Morrison-Hughes, executive director at COAHPERD, said that Hepburn has the tools to teach her students to be “healthy, life long, physically active learners.”

“Leann is a star. We want to let everyone know how privileged Aurora is to have such a quality individual in their school and district,” Morrison-Hughes said.

Healthful vending machines are increasing, but do they help?

Imagine: You’re hungry for an afternoon snack, just a little something to hold you over until dinnertime. You head down to the vending machine, drop in your change and walk back to your desk with … yogurt, some trail mix and a piece of fresh fruit. Read more in the Los Angeles Times.

The Kitchen restaurant seeds school gardens

The Kitchen [Next Door] has launched a “Community Day” program, and every Monday, all proceeds from kid’s meal purchases will be donated to the gardens of regional schools. The program is based on the success of The Kitchen’s Monday “Community Night.” The remainder of the week, The Kitchen [Next Door] will donate $2 for every kid’s meal sold to the same garden fund. The Kitchen and the Growe Foundation have partnered on 14 Boulder Valley School District elementary school gardens over the past seven years, and they aim to have a garden in every school.

About our First Person series:

First Person is where Chalkbeat features personal essays by educators, students, parents, and others trying to improve public education. Read our submission guidelines here.