Go for the Gold campaign recognized 19 Chicago public schools on Tuesday, June 7 at Walsh Elementary, 2031 South Peoria. These schools have met standards for food, fitness, and nutrition education set by the HealthierUS School Challenge. Go for the Gold is a partnership of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and Healthy Schools Campaign with the USDA Midwest and the Illinois State Board of Education Department of Nutrition.

Since the launch of the initiative in August 2010, Go for the Gold has supported Chicago public schools in providing health and wellness programs to answer First Lady Michelle Obama’s call for schools to meet the HealthierUS School Challenge. The challenge includes standards for school food, physical activity, physical education and nutrition education. This year marks the first in the three-year endeavor to support Chicago schools in implementing fitness and nutrition education programs.

The schools recognized for their hard work in health and wellness includes Ana Roque de Duprey Elementary School, Calmeca Academy of Fine Arts and Dual Language, Irma C. Ruiz Elementary School, and Manuel Perez Jr. Elementary School. “Health and wellness don’t just happen. We are all partners in ensuring that health and wellness are priorities in the educational environment,” said Chicago Public Schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard. “We view these schools as leaders and models for other schools, and look forward to greater CPS participation in the program in the coming year.” To learn more about Go for the Gold, please visit www.goforthegoldCPS.org.