Health Officer's Healthy School Seal of Approval

The Health Officer’s Healthy School Seal of Approval award recognizes public schools
in Jefferson County that create and maintain a healthy school environment. The goal of
the award is to encourage Jefferson County schools to strive for excellence in health
advancement for their students and staff. The health department envisions a county
where all children are healthy, ready to learn, and prepared to make healthy, lifelong
choices. The Department of Health understands that improving the health of children will
require a coordinated effort, and schools are a critical partner in addressing the health
concerns that affect the well-being of our children.

The Healthy School Seal of Approval criteria are:

• Lunchroom inspection score must be 97 or greater on all 3 inspections for the prior year
• Facility sanitation inspection score must be 2 or fewer facility deficiencies with
  no high priority deficiencies as based on EPA HealthySEAT criteria on last
  inspection
• Immunization survey score must be 97 or greater on last survey

There are 12 Public School Systems in Jefferson County with a total of 174 schools. Out
of these 174 schools, only 18 met the criteria to qualify for the Health Officer’s Seal of
Approval Award for 2008.

The 2008 Health Officer’s Healthy School “Seal of Approval” Award winners are:

A.G. Gaston K-8 School Adamsville Elementary School Center Point Elementary School Corner School Green Valley Elementary School Hewitt-Trussville High School Norwood Elementary School Pizitz Middle School Robert F. Bumpus Middle School Robinson Elementary School Roy F. Bragg Middle School Rutledge Middle School South Shades Crest Elementary School Trace Crossings Elementary School Vestavia Hills Elementary-Cahaba Heights Vestavia Hills Elementary-East Vestavia Hills Elementary-West Vestavia Hills High School

For the upcoming school calendar year, both public and private schools will be eligible
for the Health Officer’s Seal of Approval. In addition, schools receiving the Health
Officer’s Seal of Approval Award will be able to take it one step further. By going
beyond general sanitation and health requirements, schools that are proactive in providing
and promoting a healthier school and environment can compete for the Health Officer’s
Healthy Schools Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards of Excellence.