It seems like everyone is thinking about back-to-school. I’ve already talked quite a bit about the new school meals, but I’ve also been noticing a lot of other folks discussing the benefits of healthy school environments. I’ve really been enjoying the positive Facebook posts from School Meals That Rock. It identifies school food that is practical, nutritious and fun for kids. Over the past couple of weeks, yogurt, flavored milk and other dairy products have been highlighted as nutritious options in school meals. The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation (HWCF) has also geared up for this school year, kicking off initiatives to encourage more activity in schools. To learn more about the foundation's work, read this message from HWCF. Back-to-school message from Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation It’s that time of year again: back to school. The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation believes back to school is about more than new routines and new teachers. It’s about the opportunity to form new habits and remind ourselves and our schools about the importance of an active, healthy lifestyle. In addition to offering hundreds of free, standards-based lesson plans online at www.TogetherCounts.com, HWCF uses its vast membership to host three separate annual sweepstakes and grant challenges, each of which focuses on providing schools the resources they need to encourage healthy activity. Many schools around the country are dealing with budget cuts, leaving rundown playgrounds and physical education equipment neglected. If your school could use a brand-new playground, be sure to enter the Healthy Playground Makeover Sweepstakes. Two grand-prize winners, one of which is designated for a Title 1 school, will get a new playground from Playworld Systems, plus $30,000 in prizes! Three additional schools will receive a $5,000 grant. This sweepstakes is open to parents, grandparents, teachers—so share the news about how to enter with your friends and family. If your school is participating in the USDA’s HealthierUS Schools Challenge, it’s easy to enter to win one of three cash grants for your school from HWCF. The grand-prize winner will receive $10,000 to enhance physical education equipment or foodservice programs. The second-place winner will receive $2,000 and third-place prize winners will receive $1,000, plus a certificate for training from National Food Service Management Institute. Lastly, HWCF is launching a new and improved Find Your Balance Challenge, a grant program that encourages schools to enact energy balance programs in the classroom. The grand-prize winning school will receive $30,000 in prizes, an Ultimate Energy Balance Party for the entire school, and the teacher who leads the winning team will receive a five-night stay at the Wyndham Resort of his or her choice. Five other prizes will be awarded as well; two runner-up schools will receive a $10,000 grant, and three third-prize wining schools will each receive a $5,000 grant. For inspiration, share the video success story with a teacher or group of students today! Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity – enter your school today!