Healthy Champions

Frequently Asked Questions

• When does enrollment open?

  Enrollment is open from March – June for the following program year; the program year aligns with a standard school year (September – June).

• I am a teacher/school administrator; how do I enroll my school?

  To enroll in the Healthy Champions program, a school representative must complete the online assessment. After the assessment is complete, each enrolled school is provided with a personalized score based on the reported wellness initiatives.

• How can I check to see if my school has already enrolled as a Healthy Champion?
  • Click here to see if your school is already on the Healthy Champions’ map.
    • If you DO see your school on the map, hooray! Your school is already a Healthy Champion!
    • If you DON’T see your school on the map, simply complete the online assessment to enroll.

  Map is updated on a weekly basis.

• I am a parent; how can I help advocate and encourage my child’s school to enroll?
  • Parents play a vital role in advocating for health education programs at their child’s school. Help advocate and spread the word about the Healthy Champions program with the following steps:
    • First, click here to see if your child’s school is already on the Healthy Champions’ map.
      • If you DO see your child’s school on the map, hooray! Your school is already a Healthy Champion!
      • If you DON’T see your child’s school on the map, simply request a meeting or send the following message along to a school administrator: “This is a FREE program that has the flexibility to allow the school to use as many or as few resources as needed! The school will have hundreds of resources to choose from! The Healthy Champions program also acts as an overall School Wellness Assessment that is now required by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)! Did I mention, it’s FREE to all schools – public and private, K-12?”
• Is it true that the Healthy Champions program meets the School Wellness Assessment requirement that is mandated by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)?

  Yes! The health of a student is directly related to their academic performance. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) recognizes the need for schools to support the whole child and also acknowledges the value of health and wellness in supporting learning and academic achievement. Regular assessments enable your school to identify target areas to improve your school’s culture of wellness. The Healthy Champions’ enrollment assessment includes indicators for: nutrition and physical activity, psychological and social services, school health environment, and school health and wellness policy. Because the Healthy Champion program provides you with a score report after enrollment, annual re-enrollment is a simple way to track and evaluate progress and/or areas of need.

• What are the signature events?
  

  

  

  

  

  

  The Healthy Champions program offers 6 different Signature Events for enrolled schools to promote and celebrate school wellness with students, families, employees, and the community.  Each event can be tailored and planned according to each school’s needs and priorities. 

  Walk to School Day is part of an international effort to create safer and improved walking routes, promote healthier habits and conserve the environment. These events bring together millions of walkers from around the world all hoping to create healthy communities that are safe places to walk.

  Celebrated during National Apple Month, Apple Crunch Day encourages students and families to enjoy apples and apple products (e.g. applesauce, juice, cider) as healthy snacks. Schools can inspire nutritious eating habits by featuring apples during meals and offering creative activities that make healthy eating exciting.

  Go for the Greens, celebrated in the spring, promotes green veggies as good food and good fun! Schools and community organizations celebrate this event with taste-testings and other fun activities to open young minds and taste buds to the greatness of greens! This event emphasizes incorporating veggies as part of healthy meals with a focus on kids’ lunches and family dinner.

  Turn off the TV or computer screen and head outdoors to celebrate Move it Outside. Schools and community groups throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania host outdoor activities to encourage youth to increase physical activity levels and reconnect with nature. Skip the screen and unplug outdoors to celebrate Move it Outside day during Screen-Free Week.

  Keep It in Mind is a signature event dedicated to promoting students’ mental health literacy, mindfulness, and connection through engaging activities. These events remind schools that emotionally supported students are better prepared to learn, grow, and succeed. Celebrate the importance of student mental health by hosting a Keep It in Mind event. Help create a school community where every student feels seen, heard, and supported.

  Healthy schools start with healthy staff and Work in Balance puts the spotlight on employee wellbeing. From exercise and nutrition classes to financial literacy and sleep workshops, this day is designed to recharge the educators and staff who shape our children’s futures

  Enroll as a Healthy Champion to access free event resources. Enter the password protected portal to access the following materials:

  • Signature event webinars
  • Social media toolkits
  • Printable event posters and stickers
  • Morning announcements and newsletter articles
  • Tips on how to organize a team
  • How to plan and promote a signature event
  • Ways to celebrate nutrition and physical activity all year long

  Enroll as a Healthy Champion to access free event resources. Enter the password protected portal to access the following materials:

  • Signature event webinars
  • Social media toolkits
  • Printable event posters and stickers
  • Morning announcements and newsletter articles
  • Tips on how to organize a team
  • How to plan and promote a signature event
  • Ways to celebrate nutrition and physical activity all year long
• Will Penn State PRO Wellness help my school host a signature event?

  Please submit event requests for consideration to PROwellness@pennstatehealth.psu.edu. Requests are noted, not guaranteed.

• Does my school qualify for FREE Hershey Bears® hockey tickets?

  Through collaboration with the Hershey Bears® Hockey Club, actively enrolled Healthy Champion schools in 19 south-central Pennsylvania counties are provided an opportunity for each student to attend a Hershey Bears® hockey game. To determine if your school qualifies, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Is your school located in one of the following Pennsylvania counties? Adams, Berks, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Schuylkill, Snyder, Union or York counties*.
    • If your answer is yes, please continue. 
  • Is your school on the Healthy Champions’ map? Click to view the map.
    • If your answer is no, simply click here to enroll today to get your school on the map! Once your school* activates their Healthy Champion’s account, the entire school will receive Hershey Bears® hockey tickets.
    • If your answer is yes, hooray! Your school* is already a Healthy Champion and has secured the exclusive Hershey Bears® hockey tickets for the entire school.
• How do I enter the password protected portal?

  Click the button above to access the portal. Enter the password when prompted. If you are unsure of the password, reference the welcome email or letter that accompanied your All-Star Kit, the portal’s password is enclosed.

• My school is not enrolled and the enrollment period has closed, could I still access the portal’s resources?

  Contact PROwellness@pennstatehealth.psu.edu with inquiries and requests.

• Who do I contact with questions about signature events or the Healthy Champions program?

  Contact PROwellness@pennstatehealth.psu.edu with any program or event questions.