First “Texans” To Receive National Nutrition Award - Irving ISD

IISD Food Service Department, Lee Elementary
Are First “Texans” To Receive National Nutrition Award

On September 20^th, 2006, the Texas Department of Agriculture announced that the IISD Food Service Department and T. J. Lee Elementary School have become the first food service department and school in the entire state of Texas to earn the prestigious United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Team Nutrition “Silver School” award!

The “Silver School” designation is based on meeting specific and stringent student health criteria, including a commitment by school food service to serve school lunches that meet enhanced nutrition standards. In addition, the school has to extensively document their commitment to student health and physical education. The entire application package for the “Silver School” award spans more than fifty pages of detailed information that supports and illustrates a commitment by both T. J. Lee Elementary School and the Food Service Department to ensure healthier students through nutritious meals and vigorous classroom instruction and physical activity.

The Food Service Department hopes to partner with the remaining nineteen IISD elementary schools and help them create a superior environment for optimal student health, as reflected in the “Silver School” criteria.

The Food Service Department is extremely pleased to have partnered with T. J. Lee Elementary School in helping the Irving ISD earn this prestigious USDA national student health award. The ultimate winners, though, are our students. Healthy students are often the best students, and this award is notice that we are moving in the right direction towards ensuring that our students are ready and prepared to learn!

More information about the USDA’s “Silver School” designation can be found at:

http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/HealthierUS/silvergoldtn.html