Staff Reports | Community Updates
Make that four Scottsdale Unified School District schools now Blue Zones Project Scottsdale approved.
In January, Anasazi Elementary School was officially certified by the local Blue Zones organization for its implementation of best practices around student and staff health and well-being.
Right behind it, in February, were Pima Elementary School and Cocopah Middle School, in March. Last May, Echo Canyon School was SUSD’s first school to receive the local Blue Zones’ nod.
Inspired by the research of National Geographic Fellow and New York Times best-selling author Dan Buettner, the Blue Zones partnership aims to make healthy choices easier for Scottsdale residents, leading to their living longer, happier lives. The local Blue Zones initiative is sponsored by HonorHealth, The Cigna Group, and Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona.
Being “Blue Zones-approved” means that the schools have successfully incorporated specific health and well-being initiatives into their school culture and environment, SUSD officials say.
When Anasazi, which is found at 12121 N. 124th St., Scottsdale, in the Desert Mountain Learning Community, took on the Blue Zones challenge last year, Principal Jennifer Waldron and her team discovered a natural overlap between the school’s International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) framework and Blue Zones.
“The two complement each other, with both emphasizing whole child wellness,” explained Ms. Waldron. “PYP’s inquiry approach to learning naturally incorporates Blue Zones principles of healthy living and community connection through student-led investigations into health, well-being and sustainability. Both frameworks empower students to make choices and take action.”
To complete its application, Anasazi added a November “Pumpkin Plod” walk-to-school event, hosted a NotMYKid parent presentation on vaping and substance abuse, and stopped using food to incentivize success. Instead, class parties and school events feature healthy food choices.
At Pima Elementary School, 8330 E. Osborn Road, in the Coronado Learning Community, Principal Christopher Hodo consulted with principal colleagues Waldron and Echo Canyon’s Kat Hughes before pitching the idea to Pima’s staff and site council.
“Because of our 21st Century/Beyond the Bell program, our kids were already doing many of the things Blue Zones requires, without even realizing it,” Mr. Hodo said. “Our student Garden and Recycle Clubs played a big part in getting us over the finish line, and we’ve added a scholar wellness section to our monthly safety meetings and wellness facts to our daily announcements.”
Scottsdale Blue Zones Organization and Well-Being Coordinator Kris Bio was impressed with Pima’s head start.
“Pima prioritizes student well-being with thoughtful initiatives, like allowing all grade levels to enjoy recess before lunch, promoting mindful eating habits and reducing food waste,” she said. “They also implement the Zones of Regulation, helping students and teachers manage emotions, and engage in weekly ‘U-Time’ lessons that foster mindfulness and team building.”
“Through their Pima Panther Legacy Project, they encourage a strong sense of community by completing various charitable tasks, teaching students the value of empathy and service,” Ms. Bio added.
The Blue Zones official also guided Cocopah Middle School, 6615 E. Cholla St., on its journey, working with school nurse Sarah Patel and Cocopah’s Association of Parents and Teachers. The Chaparral Learning Community middle school also had a strong foundation going in and has added to it.
“They introduced a roaming healthy snack cart, funded by the APT and parent donations, offering USDA-approved snacks and non-food items,” Ms. Bio explained.
“Additionally, they launched a daily walking club during lunch, which has seen over 100 students sign up, with exciting incentives like skipping the lunch line and extra outdoor time, all contributing to a more active and engaged student body.”
New gardens now sprinkle the Cocopah campus and the school’s robust health program includes a disposable cup-free zone, a ban on sugar-sweetened beverages brought to campus and limits on outside food.
Ms. Patel credits the Cocopah parent community for her school’s recent certification, giving special credit to APT President Samantha Dollard and 8th grade parent/gardener extraordinaire Kip McCormick, as well as SUSD’s Nutrition Services department. Most critically, Mustangs students have embraced the Blue Zones path.
“Our Cocopah Student Advisory Committee and Blue Zones Advisory subcommittee helped us work out the practical details of the school’s composting program, making it easy for students and staff to recycle cafeteria and classroom waste and examine food-to-table sustainability,” Ms. Patel said.
“Our science classes will continue that education in the classroom,” she continued, “and we have engaged our Life Skills and ALC students to paint the bird houses found around campus and help us manage our new school gardens.”
Blue Zones are about much more than food, however.
“We’ve also started engaging in community projects, with our 8th grade students writing to local senior citizens, we encourage students to bike or walk to school, and we are partnering with the local Mollen Foundation to encourage education in farm-to-table initiatives and connections with mindfulness, nature and our communities,” Ms. Patel explained.
Cocopah Principal Joseph Olney is exceedingly proud of the results so far.
“It’s been amazing to see how this project has brought all of our stakeholders together to transform our campus,” he said. “It’s pretty impressive.”
