Two Arlington public schools have received grants through the 2024 Healthy Kids initiative of the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia.
Over the course of 14 years, the Healthy Kids Grants effort has awarded more than $200,000 in support of healthy lifestyles through increased exercise, balanced nutrition and constructive mental-health practices.
As part of the 2024 round of funding:
• Thomas Jefferson Middle School received a $1,500 grant to provide storage for fruit and vegetables for students to eat after school, after sports practices and during after-school activities.
• Washington-Liberty High School received a $250 grant to allow ninth-graders to evaluate their eating habits.
Grants of up to $2,000 also were presented to schools in Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties and the cities of Alexandria and Falls Church.
At Smart’s Mill Middle School in Loudoun, funding will support a mental-health “Zen Den” sensory environment with dim lighting, calming sounds and music, and comfortable seating.
“Thank you so much for helping us,” said Devon Basco of Smart’s Middle. “We can’t wait for this space to be up and running so teachers are able to instruct students who are more present and ‘online’ for learning and so that our student body can practice healthy coping skills.”
