Standard Middle, Mt. Vernon Elementary Become Latest Blue Zone Approved Schools

Standard Middle School and Mt. Vernon Elementary School are Bakersfield’s latest Blue Zones Project Approved Schools. Both campuses celebrated their milestones this week. Over the past year, staff at each school have worked with Blue Zones Project Bakersfield to implement changes to help make their campuses healthier for students. 

At Mt. Vernon Elementary in east Bakersfield, the campus hosted three Walking School Bus events, with plans for more of these events later this school year, and launched an attendance campaign. New signage also went up around campus, including healthy eating posters in the cafeteria featuring their students and no-smoking signs. Plans are also being made to expand the school garden from the current hydroponics system to an outdoor raised garden bed.
 
“We decided to instill in our students healthy living – exercising, drinking water, eating healthy foods, and walking,” said Principal Xochitl Prieto. “I think it’s very important for the students to see that their future begins now. The good decisions they make for themselves now will affect them in the future.”
 
Across town in north Bakersfield, Standard Middle School added a fitness gym on campus and expanded its edible garden. The cafeteria houses new student-designed posters featuring fruits and vegetables, and 40 percent of the school’s meals are made from scratch. 
 
“It’s a big accomplishment for Standard Middle School to become a Blue Zones Project approved school. One of the reasons we decided to go through the process is our school was already doing many initiatives centered around several of the Blue Zones Project principles, like expanded learning, getting students involved in sports and hosting cooking classes. A lot of our students come from different socio-economic backgrounds, and teaching them how to live healthier lifestyles is so rewarding for our staff,” said Zeriyn Araneta, family and community engagement liaison for Standard Middle School.
 
Both campuses hosted a Blue Zones Project Carnival to celebrate their milestone achievements. Students engaged in booths focused on different Blue Zones Power 9 principles. Students at Mt. Vernon Elementary moved naturally through a game of soccer and explored the Plant Slant principle by planting lettuce, spinach, and peas.

At Standard Middle School, beautifying their campus was the main objective of their celebration. Some students participated in a campus clean-up while other students planted flowers. At both celebrations, students also took the Blue Zones smoothie bike for a spin to create their own delicious treat, relaxed by coloring, or connected with friends through games of corn hole and Connect 4.
 
At both celebrations, students from Mira Monte High School and North High School volunteered their time to help host booths and engage with the younger children. For many of these high school students, it was a chance to return to support the schools they once attended.  
 
“At these approval celebrations, we’re excited to show students how simple and powerful it is to live the Power 9 principles every day,” said Jonathan Gallardo, organization lead for schools for Blue Zones Project Bakersfield. “Through engaging booths and activities, we’re helping kids experience and embrace healthy habits early, so these principles become a lasting part of their lives—and something they’ll want to share with friends and family.”
 

Standard Middle School

Mt. Vernon Elementary