State, USDA Officials Award Wrentham Schools Bronze Medal for Health

Wrentham saw a group of government officials on Friday a the Vogel School Auditorium to recognize Wrentham’s efforts to promote healthy lifestyles in students.

Wrentham’s Delaney and Roderick schools were awarded the bronze level award for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Healthier U.S. School Challenge.

The HUSSC is an initiative that was established in 2004 to recognize schools participating in the National School Lunch Program that have created healthier school environments through promotion of nutrition and physical activity.

The program was a volunteer initiative and was submitted by food services director Judy White.

The award, which has silver, bronze and gold levels, has so far been awarded to only a handful of schools within the U.S.

“On behalf of the United States Department of Agriculture, congratulations,” said Rob Lesh of the USDA. “This is a big day, it’s a big deal for everybody here. It’s a national level award. Only about 6 percent of all the schools in the whole country get an award to recognize what you’ve done.”

Rep. Joseph Kennedy III came to the event to congratulate the staff and students of the two schools.

“I just want to thank you most importantly to the students here,” Kennedy said. “It is a true honor to join all of you here to celebrate this remarkable achievement.”

Kennedy added it was not an effort of just the schools, but of the whole of Wrentham as well.

“It’s an effort to improve health in schools across the country by promoting healthier environment for kids in school,” he said. “The challenge requires teamwork across the entire community.”