Standard Elementary Celebrates Healthy Practices With Blue Zones Project Approval

Standard Elementary School is proudly celebrating its recent designation as a Blue Zones Project (BZP) approved school, the first of its kind in the Standard School District. This achievement reflects the school’s efforts to create a healthier, more vibrant learning environment for its students. Students and staff celebrated today to highlight the practices that have earned Standard Elementary this recognition.

Stacey Catlin, principal of Standard Elementary, describes being recognized as a Blue Zones school as incredibly exciting.

“It signifies a commitment to promoting healthier, longer lives for students, staff, and the entire community,” she explained. “Blue Zones are areas where people live longer, healthier lives, and bringing that concept into a school setting creates a ripple effect of positive change.”

The Blue Zones Project is a wellness initiative to create healthier communities. In Bakersfield, the Blue Zones Project collaborates with schools, workplaces, restaurants, and other organizations to encourage better health and well-being through small, sustainable steps.

The celebration featured interactive stations centered around the Blue Zones Project Power 9 principles, which are habits that contribute to a longer and healthier life. Power 9 principles include moving naturally, eating wisely, and having the right outlook, among others. Students played dodgeball, learned how to hula hoop to promote physical activity, and used a stationary bike to blend their healthy smoothies. Other students joined a coloring station to promote Right Outlook and a positive, relaxed mindset. Volunteers taught students how to garden and sent them home with their seeds to teach them the importance of plant-based foods.

There are ten BZP-approved schools in Bakersfield so far, and more are seeking approval. Jonathan Gallardo, organization lead for Blue Zones Project Bakersfield, says BZP improves health in schools by creating healthier environments and encouraging better habits such as active living and healthier eating.

“Students benefit from healthier meals, increased physical activity, and a stronger sense of community,” he said. “Overall, students are more likely to develop healthier lifestyles, improve academic performance and enhance their overall quality of life.”

Gallardo says BZP also promotes students’ mental health and well-being. Approved schools often use mindfulness practices and purpose-driven activities helping students to better manage stress and improve focus.

One initiative that contributed to the school’s approval is offering flexible seating options in classrooms. Unlike traditional seating arrangements, flex seating allows students to choose where and how they sit, giving them yoga balls, stools, and teacher chairs to sit on. This approach not only supports physical comfort but also enhances student engagement and concentration, enabling each child to work in a way that suits them best.

Standard Elementary emphasizes healthy nutrition through its Breakfast in the Classroom program, which provides a nutritious meal at the start of the day. The school also offers a Healthy Snack Cart featuring a variety of fruits and vegetables from the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. Meals are cooked from scratch in the cafeteria three days a week. Catlin says all these programs combined help reinforce good eating habits throughout the day.

“By embedding these healthy practices into daily school life, kids not only see improvements in academic performance, but also enjoy better physical health, form positive lifelong habits, and experience increased school attendance,” she said. “This helps set the stage for a brighter, healthier future.”

Gallardo praised the Nutrition Services department, with the district saying its breakfast program, healthy snack initiatives, and commitment to scratch cooking have been key contributors to creating a healthier school environment for students.

Looking ahead, Mt. Vernon Elementary School will have its own Blue Zones Project celebration on September 11. Activities are being planned and will be announced closer to the date. More information about Blue Zones Project Bakersfield can be found on their website.