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3 schools honored for fitness, nutrition programs

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By MARY SHEDDEN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 28, 2009

TAMPA - Three Tampa Bay area schools are among just 114 nationwide being recognized for their fitness and nutrition programs.

Tampa's Kenly Elementary and Pinellas County's Belcher Elementary and Safety Harbor Elementary were honored recently at the annual Healthy Schools Program in New York. The program is part of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a partnership of the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation.

Kenly's Latin dance fitness program – called "Dance 4 Wellness" - received a silver recognition.

Regular participants in the program from Kenly and nearby schools lost an average of 12 pounds in the class, the Heart Association said.

Belcher Elementary's bronze award focused on its parent teacher association's efforts to eliminate unhealthy foods from school events. Among the changes, the PTA now offers nonfood rewards and health education puppet shows.

Safety Harbor Elementary added a salad bar for its staff, conducted a staff wellness interest survey and launched an afterschool exercise class for its staff.

The Healthy Schools program was launched in 2006 to combat a growing child and teen obesity problem. It provides free support to more than 5,000 schools nationwide.

Reporter Mary Shedden can be reached at (813) 259-7365.

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