Uniting Trailblazers 

While you’re waiting to check in or after you’ve dropped your bags in your room, stop by the registration + help desk to collect your name badge and event materials.

Start making connections and have a little fun while you are at it! Join Alliance for Healthier Generation staff and the Little Rock Conventions and Visitors Bureau for games, music, prizes and/or an opportunity to “just chill”.

Welcome to Little Rock and the 2024 America’s Healthiest Schools Leaders Summit! Meet Alliance for Healthier Generation staff on the Terrace of the Riverview Meeting Room at 3:00 pm to head out on a Wellness Walk full of art and Zen. We will guide you through the walking path along the scenic banks of the Arkansas River and beautiful Vogel-Schwartz Sculpture Garden. We promise the perfect backdrop for your first #HealthiestSchools social post while you rejuvenate and build stronger bonds with colleagues.

Take a self-care break in the Lakeshore Learning Relaxation Station and find ease in effort with Tara Stiles of Strala Yoga. Stop by the H(ealthier) G(eneration) Hub to learn more about the advantages of The Walking Classroom and meet with our Healthier Generation team.  Gather resources, learn about new technologies, build good energy and get facetime with our valued partners; Cairn Guidance, GoNoodle, American Heart Association, Elkay, and Del Monte Foods.

Hear from inspirational changemakers, unwind and network with your fellow awardees as we officially kick off the Leaders Summit. This is the perfect opportunity to visit our Partners, stop by the HG Hub and check out the Relaxation Station.

Sponsored in part by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield

Please meet The Walking Classroom team and Healthier Generation staff in the Marriott lobby at 6:45am.

All levels are encouraged to participate, so grab your coffee and let’s GET MOVIN’! Start your morning off with fresh air, new friends and fellow attendees as The Walking Classroom** takes you on an easy breezy 1-mile loop down the Arkansas River Trail and back through the Medical Mile. 

**Early bird gets the worm! We’ve got an incentive for you, be one of the first 50 attendees on the trail to find out.

*Please note that this is a different location than Thursday.

Kick off the Leaders Summit with an interactive session highlighting how powerful storytelling will deepen the connection of health and learning in communities. This session will feature a moderated panel followed by audience participation, so be ready to share stories from your communities! Participants will leave with tangible strategies to center community voice and create inclusive communities.

Sponsored by:

Dr. Kofi Essel shares his journey in equitable whole child health and leads attendees through an impactful workshop.

Attendees may select one of three innovative and interactive sessions covering different topic areas. 

Sponsored by GoNoodle:

Emotional Literacy is increasingly recognized as a vital component of education, helping students navigate their emotions, build relationships, and develop essential life skills. Since 2012, GoNoodle has supported educators and parents by turning screen time into active, engaging experiences that connect movement with learning. Recognizing the powerful link between physical activity and social-emotional health, GoNoodle has expanded its efforts to include a dedicated emotional literacy curriculum called SuperNoodle, designed specifically for K-5 classrooms.

In this interactive workshop attendees will learn simple strategies to center community voices. Together we’ll practice scientifically demonstrated strategies that improve outcomes for those who have experienced adversity, including mindfulness, movement, and art. Learn how a new partnership with the University of Kentucky - EMPOWER - is amplifying youth voices to reduce youth vaping. Through solo reflection, 1-1 and group conversation, attendees will leave feeling better connected to themselves and each other.

*This session will also be offered on Saturday.

Empowering youth to actively participate in decision-making processes fosters stronger connections, deeper learning, and increased engagement in nutrition education. Together with Healthier Generation and the National Farm to School Network, we'll delve into best practices for ensuring that young people play a central role in school nutrition programs.

While you meet and chat with other attendees, enjoy a taste test featuring veggie-packed recipes from our Corporate Hero Awardee, Del Monte Foods.

Attendees may select one of three innovative and interactive sessions covering different topic areas. 

In this session, participants will explore strategies and ideas to enhance their Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) through increased engagement and collaboration with students, families, and the community. By fostering a collaborative approach, schools can create more inclusive, effective, and sustainable physical activity initiatives that not only promote healthy lifestyles but also strengthen the connection between education and community well-being. Participants will gain insights into best practices, real-world examples, and resources to support their CSPAP efforts.

Nutrition education typically occurs solely in the cafeteria. However, we understand that students learn best when information is presented in various settings and through different methods. Join Healthier Generation and The Common Market as we discuss a collaborative approach to mirrored nutrition education. This session will focus on helping students build appreciates for seasonal, local foods through opportunities across the school environment, including cafeteria, classrooms, and gardens.

A positive school environment where students feel a sense of connection and belonging is vital for academic success and overall well-being. During this session participants will connect as a group to explore best practices and what you can do to promote a sense of connection and belonging in your school.

Sponsored by:

Within education, the wellbeing of staff members is paramount to creating a thriving and effective learning environment. Educators directly impact student outcomes, meaning it is imperative for educational institutions to focus on supporting staff wellbeing. Join our renowned panel of experts as they discuss how promoting staff well-being can improve attendance rates for both students and educators in this insightful session.

Before we celebrate YOU at the William J. Clinton Library and Museum, let’s reflect on the incredible content shared and key insights that you want to put into practice to grow and excel long-term.

Start the celebration with your peers while taking in the beauty of the venue and enjoying light refreshments before the Recognition Ceremony begins.

Healthier Generation, along with some very special guests, will celebrate America’s Healthiest Schools and Corporate Hero Del Monte Foods in this exclusive presentation.

We applaud you for your continued dedication to advancing equitable whole child health and all the work you do to improve the lives of our nation’s children. Please relax and enjoy a beautiful meal with new friends, old friends, supporters, our partners, and Healthier Generation.

Attendees may select one of three innovative and interactive sessions covering different topic areas.

Join this interactive session to explore how to implement the new National Physical Education Standards and foster a more student-centered learning environment. Learn practical strategies to give students a say in their physical activity experiences, provide a variety of options to meet individual needs, and to teach the importance of following through on a goal to reach success.

In this interactive workshop attendees will learn simple strategies to center community voices. Together we’ll practice scientifically demonstrated strategies that improve outcomes for those who have experienced adversity, including mindfulness, movement, and art. Learn how a new partnership with the University of Kentucky - EMPOWER - is amplifying youth voices to reduce youth vaping. Through solo reflection, 1-1 and group conversation, attendees will leave feeling better connected to themselves and each other.

Taking breaks throughout the day to pause and regulate is essential to supporting the learning and well-being of students and staff. In this session, we will explore the Classroom-Based Calming Spaces Toolkit resource and problem-solving barriers to implementation. You are guaranteed to walk away from this session with a plan to start this universal intervention at the classroom or schoolwide scale.

Attendees may select one of three innovative and interactive sessions covering different topic areas.

Schools are places where everyone in the building is together for the purposes of learning and will do everything in their power to ensure that people remain in learning conditions as opposed to being removed from them. During this session, participants will explore an approach to discipline that is proactive and supportive, as well as responsive to problems in school.

Current rates of chronically absent students continue to demonstrate that health and learning are inextricably linked. Schools are uniquely positioned to be equitable hubs for health promotion, education, and access. Join us to explore actionable tools and resources to support the physical, social emotional, and mental health of students, families, and staff in your school community.

Are you looking to foster a more connected and collaborative school environment? In this interactive breakout session participants will walk through Healthier Generation’s updated Get Connected resource. The session is designed to spark your creativity and provide practical tips for building stronger relationships with your colleagues.

THANK YOU FOR COMING!