WiseTribe is supporting Carver Middle School with building a culture of health as the school contributes to three UN Global Goals of Zero Hunger, Good Health and well-being, and Community Partnerships to make student learning purposeful in addressing these pressing needs.
We are collaborating on a program called Food Land to have a holistic impact on all school community stakeholders: students, families, teachers, staff, and community partners. With the need to reimagine the systems that influence our collective health and well-being greater than ever, Food Land supports school communities by building positive food-related behaviors to foster a healthy, sustainable future.
Food Land brings interactive learning to life with the school community and it is made up of three main components:
- School-Wide Learning Projects: Our students are eager to learn, and Food Land provides a platform for them to explore exciting projects. From building a replica of George Washington Carver's Jesup Wagon to developing a school community food system and engaging in botanical show and tell, their imaginations know no bounds.
- 30-Day Health Challenges: In a month, our students will embark on transformative journeys. These challenges catalyze personal growth and empowerment, teaching them the importance of healthier choices.
- Food Land Dinner Theater: Each 30-day cycle culminates in a grand celebration—the Food Land Dinner Theater. It's a night of recognition and appreciation, where everyone's progress in the 30-day health challenges and school projects is celebrated.
Our youth are facing unprecedented health challenges. Forty percent of school-aged children and adolescents have at least one chronic illness and almost half of the students report feeling persistently sad or hopeless. Nearly one-third are experiencing poor mental health. The children at Carver Middle School who live at or below the poverty line are at severe risk.
Just one inventive example of our programming is Food Land Dinner Theater, detailed below, which is an interactive adventure that brings families together for innovation, fun, and meaningful education. Our plan is to host a sit-down dinner featuring entertaining performances by students and staff that provide helpful tips for healthy eating, raffle prizes, and celebrations of progress toward better health.
Food Land is a symbol of hope and transformation for our entire school community at Carver Middle School. As we navigate the pressing health challenges faced by our youth today, this initiative, particularly crucial for Carver students, takes a significant step toward reshaping the narrative of health and wellness education. The multifaceted approach of Food Land, from engaging school-wide projects to invigorating 30-day health challenges and the culminating Dinner Theater celebration, fosters a holistic understanding of healthier choices and community resilience. It's a journey of empowerment, education, and collective action. By joining us in this remarkable endeavor, you're not just supporting a program – you're investing in a brighter, healthier future for our youth. Let's unite and make 2024 the year we cultivate Food Land at Carver Middle School, a testament to innovation, transformation, and the unwavering power of hope.
