FONTANA – Thirty-six Fontana Unified schools – the most of any schools in San Bernardino County – were honored with the Distinguished After School Health (DASH) program certificate, a new award that recognizes programs that excel in providing health education, nutrition and physical activities for students.

This is the first award of the DASH certificate, developed by the California Department of Education (CDE), in response to 2014 legislation from state Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson calling for recognition of after-school programs that excel in providing health education, nutrition and physical activities.

FUSD schools – 29 elementary and seven middle schools – claimed all but two of the awards in San Bernardino County and nearly 20 percent of the 187 stateside winners. The District garnered the most wins in San Bernardino and was recognized for being on the cutting edge of nutritional standards and encouraging healthy habits and exercise with its After School Education and Safety (ASES) program.

“We’re proud of our commitment to creating a healthy environment where our students can thrive inside and out of the classroom,” Fontana Unified Board of Education President Lorena Corona said. “Earning these certificates sends a strong message to the parents of our community that we are dedicated to making sure their children have a healthy place to develop.”

DASH’s standards are largely consistent with the National Afterschool Association’s Healthy Eating and Physical Activity standards. To receive the DASH stamp of approval, a program must limit the amount of play time students spend on computer screens, serve healthy meals and drinks and require 30 minutes to an hour of daily exercise.

Program certification is valid for two years and is part of an initiative that aims to combat child obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes.

Fontana Unified’s ASES program is available at all elementary and middle schools and offers homework assistance, enrichment activities, physical fitness and a nutritious snack.

The FUSD award recipients include: Ted Porter, Randall Pepper, Citrus, Chaparral, Beech, Oleander, Canyon Crest, Juniper, Kathy Binks, Primrose, Dorothy Grant, West Randall, South Tamarind, Sierra Lakes, Shadow Hills, Redwood, Poplar, Palmetto, Maple, Oak Park, North Tamarind, Locust, Mango, Live Oak, Hemlock, Cypress, Date, Almond and Tokay elementary schools, and Wayne Ruble, Southridge, Truman, Sequoia, Almeria, Fontana and Alder middle schools.

“We are excited to have our District be a part of the DASH program, which sets the gold standard for after-school care,” FUSD Superintendent Dr. Leslie Boozer said. “Healthy living is such an important part to our children’s’ education and have incorporated healthy standards into the school environment to ensure that they learning and succeeding in the classroom.”

For more information on the ASES program, contact Jizelle Campos at (909) 357-7600, ext. 29183.

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

DASH1: Thirty-six Fontana Unified schools were honored with the Distinguished After School Heath (DASH) program certificate, a new award that recognizes programs that excel in providing health education, nutrition and physical activities for students. The District was recognized for its After School Education and Safety (ASES) program.

DASH2: Fontana Unified students in the District’s after-school program, ASES, which is now DASH-certified, have their computer play time limited, are served healthy meals and drinks and are required 30 minutes to an hour of daily exercise.