Olson Elementary in Marina Becomes first Blue Zones Project® School in Monterey Peninsula Unified School District
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2022
Contact:
Marci McFadden, Chief of Communications & Engagement
831-706-6971
Paul Ligorski, Organization Lead, Blue Zones Project® Monterey County
831.256.7267
Olson Elementary in Marina Becomes first Blue Zones Project® School in Monterey Peninsula Unified School District
The school will receive official designation status at a celebration on September 27 at 9 a.m.
Marina, CA - Olson Elementary School in the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District has been designated a Blue Zones Project® school. Olson Elementary is the first school among the district’s 17 elementary, transitional kindergarten - 8th, middle and high schools to receive this certification.
The school will receive it's official designation during a celebration with school, community and Blue Zone Project® leaders on Tuesday, September 27 at 9 a.m. at Olson Elementary School located at 261 Beach Road in Marina. Members of the media are invited to attend.
The Blue Zones Project® makes it easy for schools to teach students how to lead longer, happier lives. Schools are already an essential part of helping kids make smart choices about staying healthy. By encouraging better eating habits, implementing tobacco-free policies, and increasing physical activity, schools like Olson Elementary School can use the Blue Zones Project® to help students and parents form healthy habits for life.
“We are pleased to pave the way for MPUSD schools to ensure a healthy school environment and experience,” said Drew Coleman, Principal, Olson Elementary School. “Our students, staff and families are committed to supporting this initiative.”
The Blue Zones Project® is a community-wide, well-being improvement initiative to help make healthy choices easier for the Olson Elementary community. By encouraging better eating habits, implementing tobacco-free policies, and increasing physical activity, Olson Elementary can use the Blue Zones Project® to help students and parents form healthy habits for life.
“We encourage changes in our community that lead to healthier options. When the entire community participates – from worksites and schools to restaurants and grocery stores – the small changes contribute to huge benefits for all of us: lowered healthcare costs, improved productivity, and ultimately, a higher quality of life,” said Paul Ligorski, Organization Lead, Blue Zones Project® Monterey County.
“The healthier we make our community’s schools, the healthier our kids will be,” said Coleman.
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About Monterey Peninsula Unified School District
The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District is home to approximately 9,600 students in grades transitional kindergarten through 12th grade. The district also houses preschool and adult education. The district is built on a solid foundation of effective instruction, positive school culture, systems of support, and collaborative leadership. The district is nestled along the Monterey Bay, and stretches from the city of Marina to the north to the city of Monterey to the south, and includes the communities of Del Rey Oaks, Marina, Monterey, Sand City and Seaside.