(SPRINGFIELD, Ore.)—In an effort to raise awareness of healthier eating and increased physical activity among teachers, faculty, and staff in the Springfield and Bethel school districts, PacificSource Health Plans is once again holding a four-week Healthy Life Schools Challenge from April 13 through May 10. Now in its fourth year, the Challenge rewards schools in each district whose faculty and staff replace the greatest number of high calorie snacks each day with servings of fresh fruits and/or vegetables.
The elementary, middle and high schools that consume the highest percentage of fruits and vegetables will each receive a $1,000 donation from PacificSource to be used to support health and wellness efforts within the school.
Participants will have a head start toward achieving their goal courtesy of PacificSource, which is providing fruits and vegetables each week during the Challenge.
In addition to healthy eating, this year’s Challenge incorporates a physical activity component. Bethel and Springfield school district staff members are encouraged to participate in the “Couch to 5K” training program, a four-week training plan specifically designed to help participants prepare to run or walk a 5-kilometer race. PacificSource has donated race entries to the RunTrackTown 5k and Kids Duck Dash as part of the Eugene Marathon events on Saturday, May 9 to be used by teachers, students and staff.
“Healthy eating combined with exercise is a one-two punch toward achieving fitness goals and an overall healthier lifestyle,” said Alexa Shook, director of Health Promotion and Wellness for PacificSource Health Plans. “Staff from each school district will have the opportunity to eat better and move more, while inspiring their students to do the same, both during the Challenge and beyond.
Back this year is the PacificSource Healthy Life Essay Contest, in which elementary students are invited to write in their own words what it means to them to live a healthy life. The winning student will receive free admission to a weeklong Jordan Kent Skills Camp this summer.
More than 60 percent of the faculty and staff at Bethel and Springfield school districts participated in the 2014 Healthy Life Schools Challenge, consuming 23,000 servings of fruits and vegetables and replacing 6,000 unhealthy snacks.
A kickoff assembly will be held at Springfield’s Thurston Elementary School on Monday, April 13 starting at 8:30 am. Former University of Oregon three-sport standout Jordan Kent will be the featured speaker.
About PacificSource Healthy Life™:
Through collaboration with individuals, organizations, academic institutions, and other key stakeholders, PacificSource Healthy Life™ facilitates the adoption and maintenance of positive health behaviors in four key areas: physical activity, healthy eating, smoke free living, and stress management. With programs throughout the Pacific Northwest, Healthy Life is a leader with regard to wellness initiatives that improve the health of the people in the communities that PacificSource Health Plans serves. For more information about PacificSource Healthy Life, visit http://healthylifechallenge.org/Challenges/ or contact Alexa Shook at [email protected]
About PacificSource Health Plans:
PacificSource Health Plans is an independent, not-for-profit community health plan serving the Northwest. Founded in 1933, PacificSource is based in Eugene, Oregon, with local offices throughout Oregon and in Idaho and Montana. The PacificSource family of companies employs 700 people, serves more than 275,000 individuals, and has 3,900 employer clients throughout the Northwest. PacificSource Community Health Plans, Inc. is a subsidiary of PacificSource Health Plans and markets Medicare Advantage products under the name PacificSource Medicare. PacificSource Community Solutions, Inc. is a subsidiary of PacificSource Health Plans and provides Medicaid coverage in Oregon through the Oregon Health Plan. For more information visit pacificsource.com.
