By

Ivette Lirio,   Hialeah Gardens Middle School

Play:

Topics:

Access to Healthy Foods, Physical Activity Participation, Student Leadership, Success with Funds,  Teamwork

Hialeah Gardens Middle School has taken off in a healthy smoothie craze using the new blender bike and tower gardens. The students and staff have promoted a healthy snack on a weekly basis to the entire school, combining fruits and vegetables grown in the tower gardens. They also make their smoothies by pedaling away on the blender bike.

How did you accomplish your goals?

Thanks to the funding of the Farm to School Play and Ramp up for Recess, we were able to purchase a blender bike and tower gardens as well as paint the recess area. With these two items, the students took initiative, promoting healthy smoothies which included low fat or non fat milk. They also used yogurt and fruits and vegetables grown in the tower gardens.

How did students and adults work together as a team?

The students and teachers from Physical Education and Agriscience classes came up with a wellness plan to organize Smoothie Days weekly. First, we had to build the blender bike and tower gardens. We also had a representative from the tower gardens come out after school to help them build the tower gardens and explain to us how to continue growing healthy vegetables and fruits. Now everyone in the school is involved in wellness and has a part in the healthy smoothie craze.

How do you plan to make this Play last during the school year and beyond?

The smoothie craze will continue next school year since it has taken off for the whole school. Students are enjoying the smoothies and want to make them everyday. Next year we can continue to use the blender bike and tower gardens promoting healthy snacks. The students and teachers have learned to care for and maintain the equipment and plan on continuing healthy and physical activity plays in our school.