SACO — Young School has been acknowledged for its work to promote healthy choices. 

The school, which serves students from Kindergarten through second grade has achieved the Gold level status through childhood obesity prevention program Let’s Go.

To receive Gold Level status, a school must implement the five Let’s Go priority strategies which are limiting unhealthy choices for snacks and celebrations, limit or eliminate sugary drinks, prohibit the use of food as a reward, provide opportunities to get physical activity every day and limit recreational screen time. The school must also communicate these changes and practices to families and participate in a school district wellness committee or write priority strategies into policy. 

Let’s Go encourages the 5210 principles, through which children are encouraged every day to eat five fruits and vegetables, engage in two hours or less a day on screen time, spend one hour or more with physical activity and drink zero sugary drinks.

The school received the award from Let’s Go Coordinator Cassandra Ring at a school assembly Wednesday morning.

“Congratulations on all the hard work you have done,” she said. 

Principal Peter Harrison said he was putting the award on the wall to remind students of the great job they did and to encourage them to continue to get plenty of exercise and eat healthy foods.

“We’re the gold status, that’s the highest you can get. That means we’re really doing a great job practicing the 5210 rules,” said school nurse Jessica Morgan, to the applause of the students at the assembly.

School counselor Tina Nightingale said the school has a program that acknowledges students’ kindness, and when a criteria is met students receive a reward, which often involves physical activity such as an extra recess or a dance party in the hallway. 

On Thursday, as part of National Red Ribbon week, students were being provided fruit thanks to the Biddeford Saco Rotary to promote healthy habits, Nightingale said. 

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].