Re-election Mission Mayor Norberto “Beto” Salinas LET’S KEEP MISSION IN GOOD HANDS. Leadership • Results
Political ad paid for by the candidate, 500 E. 9th Street, Mission TX.
VOL. I, NO. 45
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GEORGE F. WILL WASHINGTON -- No elaborate catechism is required to determine if someone is a conservative. A single question, as simple as it is infallible, suffices: For whom would you have voted in the presidential election of 1912? That year, a former president and a future president ran against the incumbent president, who lost, as did the country, which would have been much better off giving another term to William Howard Taft. Instead it got Woodrow Wilson and the modern imperial presidency that had been prefigured by Taft’s predecessor and second major opponent in 1912, Theodore Roosevelt. Taft won fewer electoral votes (eight, from Utah and Vermont) than any other incumbent president; Roosevelt carried six states, Wilson 40. Taft’s presidency was bracketed by Roosevelt’s and Wilson’s, the progenitors of today’s imperial presidency. Jeffrey Rosen, law professor at George Washington University and CEO of the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, began writing his new appreciation of the 27th president (“William Howard Taft,” the latest in the series of slender books on “The American Presidents,” now edited by Princeton historian Sean Wilentz) in January 2017, when the 45th president began inadvertently doing something useful -- validating nostalgia for Taft, whom Rosen calls “the only president to approach the office in constitutional terms above all.” Wilson was the first president to criticize the American founding, particularly for the separation of powers that crimps presidential supremacy. Roosevelt believed that presidents are free to do whatever the Constitution does
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not forbid. Taft’s constitutional modesty held that presidents should exercise only powers explicitly granted by the document. Romanticizers of Roosevelt ignore his belief that no moral equivalent of war could be as invigorating as the real thing, and they celebrate him as a trustbuster taming corporate capitalism and a pioneering environmentalist. Rosen notes, however, that Taft “extended federal environmental protection to more land than Roosevelt” -- and he created 10 national parks -- “and brought more antitrust suits in one term than Roosevelt brought in nearly two.” One of Roosevelt’s excuses for trying to regain the presidency was that Taft, who in 1911 brought an antitrust action against U.S. Steel (world’s first billion-dollar corporation, then producing a quarter of the world’s steel), was too aggressive in trust-busting. Roosevelt thought that, in industry, big was beautiful (because efficiently Darwinian) if big government supervised it. Taft signed the first revision of tariffs, which are regressive taxes, since the 1890s, when they were raised by an average of 57 percent. His tariff message to Congress was just 340 words because he thought the Constitution and traditional political practice allowed presidents to recommend, but not lobby for, congressional action. Such was his constitutional reticence, in his inaugural address he referred to tariff reform as “a suggestion only.” Taft unsuccessfully resisted President William McKinley’s entreaties that he become governor of the Philippines (“I have never approved of keeping the Philippines”). Others wanted him to be president much more than he did. His aspiration, achieved after the presidency, was to be chief justice of the United States. As a reluctant president, he demonstrated that reluctance, which is vanishingly rare, is a recommendation for the office. In 1912, Roosevelt’s “New Nationalism” promised populism rampant and a plebiscitary presidency untethered from constitutional inhibitions: “I don’t think that any harm comes from the concen-
tration of powers in one man’s hands.” And “I believe in pure democracy,” the purity being unmediated, unfiltered public opinion empowered even to overturn state court decisions by referendums. This galvanized Taft’s determination to resist Roosevelt (“my closest friend”) in the name of judicial independence. Taft had vetoed the legislation admitting New Mexico and Arizona to statehood because the latter’s constitution provided for the recall of judicial decisions. Arizona removed this quintessentially populist provision -- then restored it once safely inside the Union. Taft correctly compared Roosevelt to the first populist president (whose portrait would be hung in the Oval Office in 2017 by a populist president): “There is a decided similarity between Andrew Jackson and Roosevelt. He had the same disrespect for law when he felt the law stood between him and what he thought
was right to do.” The 1912 strife between conservative and progressive-populist Republicans simmered until Ronald Reagan’s election in 1980 sealed conservatism’s ascendancy in the party. This lasted 36 years, until it was supplanted by its antithesis, populism, 104 years after Taft resisted Roosevelt. This, for a while, prevented American from having only a populist Republican Party to oppose a progressive Democratic Party -- an echo, not a choice. George Will’s email address is georgewill@washpost.com. (c) 2018, Washington Post Writers Group George F. Will writes a twice-weekly column on politics and domestic and foreign affairs. He began his column with The Post in 1974, and he received the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in 1977.
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Mayor Norberto Salinas Questions Opponent’s Platform
Following a nail-biting election night count, than 15 years ago. That’s an increase of 27%. the city of Mission’s May 5th election result- How many people do you think can afford to ed in a 5-vote margin leading to a scheduled have their taxes go up by almost 30%?” SaJune 9th run-off between incumbent Mayor linas questioned. “We work with our staff to Norberto “Beto” Salinas and Dr. Armando have a sensible pay scale for our employees O’Cana. Julian Gonzalez will also be in a run- to reward them for years of service and for off with Gus Martinez. getting better at their jobs. This is As the various parties gear up how we get the best staff to work for the run-off, the election once for the city. We have to work hard again has begun to heat up. Early to balance our budget without voting began yesterday, Tuesday, having to raise taxes every year.” May 29th and will run through This led to another issue for June 5th. the Mayor, an O’Cana statement “I run on my record of reducto, “Freeze property tax rates, for ing property taxes and improving a minimum of 1 year.” the quality of life in the City of “Saying that he’s going to Mayor Norberto Mission. When I became mayor, freeze taxes for one year is one of “Beto”Salinas the city’s tax rate was $0.62 per the dumbest things any politician $100 of property valuation. This year, it’s at has ever said,” Salinas said. “Property taxes just $0.4862, a drop of more than 21% in the are only set once a year for the entire year. property taxes Mission residents pay,” Mayor Does he think that we’re changing the tax rate Salinas said. two or three or four times a year? No, the city However, the Mayor took issue with a re- council votes on it when we approve the budcent platform issued by his opponent that he get in September of every single year, only feels shows a gross misunderstanding of how once a year. That’s the law. Under my adminthe city works and its fiscal situation. istration, our property taxes have gone down “I want people to judge me on my record, almost every year. All he has to do is look at but some of the things my opponent is saying his tax statements, if he owns any property in just don’t make sense. And I don’t want peo- Mission. My record is right in the hands of the ple to be fooled by what he’s saying,” Salinas residents of Mission in their annual tax stateexplained. ment. There’s my proof of what we’ve done.” In a flyer put out by the O’Cana campaign, “It seems that O’Cana just does not underthe candidate is quoted as saying, “Removing, stand how city government works. We want from the Mayor’s position, the exclusive au- to make our city more prosperous and effithority to appoint citizens to the city boards cient so that we can keep cutting taxes, not and instead work together with the City freeze them at the current rates. That’s negaCouncil to make such appointments.” tive thinking,” Salinas explained. According to Salinas, the mayor has no With more than $89.9 million in infrastrucsuch authority. “We have an open process in ture investments since the start of his adminplace in Mission. We ask the public to sign istration, Salinas said the city has almost been up and let us know if they are interested is rebuilt from the ground up. “We have a new serving on a board in the city. Those names library, a new bridge, new roads, much better are presented to the council when it’s time to drainage, repaved streets, new parks, rebuilt renew an advisory board member or when parks, recreation areas, water lines, new sewthere’s a vacancy. All the city council gets the er lines, new city hall, new police station, new list, and we decide as a group whether we fire stations, new sidewalks, a hike and bike want to re-appoint the person already on the trail, and so many more things. We’ve made board or get someone new. I ask for recom- the city more livable, more attractive. That’s mendations from the rest of the city council, why Mission is growing by leaps and bounds.” Looking over the city’s growth, Salinas said and then we vote on it,” Salinas said. “If O’Cana was paying attention or attend- the outlook is very good. “The City of Mission ed the city council meetings, he would al- has been growing for the last 15 years. We’ve invested in our city where it really matters, ready know that,” Salinas added. Another point the Mayor disputes from not just in streets, parks, drainage and bringO’Cana’s flyer is one that says, “Create a mini- ing in new businesses. We’ve been growing faster than other cities in Hidalgo County. mum wage of $15 for all city employees.” “This would be an absolute disaster for From 1990 to 2016, Mission grew by 67.95%, the City of Mission and it residents,” Salinas compared to 64.28% for McAllen and just said. “This would require several million dol- 50.67% for Edinburg. People are moving here lars more each year added to the budget and because of what we have to offer. That’s what could add up to 13 cents to the tax rate to I want to do in my final term, keep growing increase it to more than $0.62 per $100 val- the city.” uation. That’s where the tax rate was more
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STISD Schools On Educational Results Partnership Honor Roll
Schools Recognized for High Achievement in Student Success by a National Campaign of Business and Education Leaders
Four campuses within South Texas Independent School District (STISD) were named to the 2017-2018 Educational Results Partnership Honor Roll for their high achievement and student success. The program, sponsored by the Institute for Productivity in Education (IPE), is part of a national effort to identify higher-performing schools and districts that are improving student outcomes. Rising Scholars Academy of South Texas (Rising Scholars Academy) in San Benito, South Texas High School for Health Professions (Med High) in Mercedes, South Texas Preparatory Academy (STPA) in Edinburg and The Science Academy of South Texas (Science Academy) in Mercedes were among the 729 public schools in the state to receive Texas Honor Roll recognition. The 2017-2018 Honor Roll is devel-
oped by Educational Results Partnership (ERP), a nonprofit organization that applies data science to help improve student outcomes and career readiness. ERP maintains the nation’s largest database on student achievement and utilizes this data to identify higher-performing schools and districts. Schools that receive the ERP Honor Roll distinction have demonstrated consistent high levels of student academic achievement, improvement in achievement levels over time, and a reduction in achievement gaps among student populations. For high schools, the ERP Honor Roll recognition also includes measures of college readiness. “We are so proud of our four campuses recognized as ERP Honor Roll Schools by educational and business leaders in Texas,” said Marla M. Guerra, Ed.D., superintendent of schools for STISD. “It is through the collaboration between students, teachers, parents, administrators, and our local businesses and community that we are able to provide our students with an education that truly prepares them for success in higher education and a future career.” The Honor Roll is comprised of two different awards, the “Star Schools” Award
GLOBAL DAY OF DISCOVERY
and “Scholar Schools” Award. achievement gaps and removAccording to the ERP webing educational obstacles for site, Star Schools are high historically disadvantaged poverty, high performing students,” said James Lanich, and achievement gap closing Ph.D., ERP president and CEO. schools. This is the category “These bright spot schools and into which all four recognized districts are implementing proSTISD campuses were selectgrams and practices that are ed. Scholar Schools are high A student at South improving educational equiperforming schools without Texas Independent ty and accelerating student School District significant levels of low-insuccess. We need to shine a works on a class come students. They are also spotlight on their work and enassignment. achievement gap closing courage others to replicate it.” schools. In Texas, the ERP Honor Roll Honor Roll schools with higher perfor- program is supported by numerous busimance in Science, Technology, Engineer- nesses and organizations, including the ing and Math (STEM) are recognized with Texas Business Leadership Council, Amera special STEM designation. Rising Schol- ican Automobile Association (AAA) Texas, ars Academy and STPA both received the Macy’s, Wells Fargo, Chevron Corporation added distinction of STEM Honor Roll. and Enterprise Holdings Foundation. “Educational success must be data-inSouth Texas Independent School Disformed,” said Greg Jones, ERP board trict (STISD) serves junior high and high chairman. “These Honor Roll schools and school students from Cameron, Hidalgo districts are improving student achieve- and Willacy Counties. The tuition-free ment and we have the data to prove it. schools provide students with a personal It’s critical that the business community environment, a strong, college-preparasupport and promote educational success tory scholastic program, and hands-on as today’s students are tomorrow’s work- training in various professional career force.” fields. For additional information, call “At ERP we are committed to closing 1-800-21STUDY or visit www.stisd.net.
JUNE 5TH
5PM - 9PM
101 N. MAIN ST. McALLEN,TX
J O I N U S I N C E L E B R AT I N G 1 0 0 Y E A R S O F E X C E L L E N T H O S P I TA L I T Y & DISCOVER THE WONDERS McALLEN H A S TO O F F E R I N O U R A N N UA L G L O B A L D AY O F D I S C O V E RY .
C O M E T RY I N T R I G U I N G C U L I N A RY C R E AT I O N S & S P E C I A LT Y D R I N K S B Y C A S A D E PA L M A S R E N A I S S A N C E H OT E L’ S C H E F Z E N O N O L L I S E N J OY L I V E M U S I C , L O C A L V E N D O R S , A RT E X H I B I T S & M O R E ! B E A P A RT O F T H I S
G R A N D C E L E B R AT I O N ! N O E N T RY F E E S For more information please call: (956)631-1101 M U S I C P ROV I D E D B Y B U C K N ’ C R A Z Y
Friendship on Foreign Soil: Japanese Farmers in the Rio Grande Valley Associate Education Officer, Joseph Fox, at the Museum of South Texas History will present the history of Japanese farmers in South Texas. As railroads and irrigation drastically changed the Rio Grande Valley at the turn of the 20th century, new immigrants moved to the region in order to farm what was described “Magic Valley.” Who were these new immigrants? Joseph Fox, the associate education officer at the Museum of South Texas History, will present “Friendship on Foreign Soil: Japanese Farmers in the Rio Grande Valley” during the Sunday Speaker Series June 3 at 2 p.m. at the Museum of South Texas History. Among the newcomers to the Rio Grande Valley were Japanese farmers such as the Shimotsus, Kawahatas and Katos, who developed strong friendships and became part of the Valley community. The farmers were also part of the turbulent times in the region’s World War II history. Fox earned a master’s degree in history from Texas State University in San Marcos. His areas of research include borderland and Texas music history. Fox has written articles for the Handbook of Texas History and a historical marker for the Texas Historical Commission. Sunday Speaker Series is included in the fee for regular museum admission. FRIENDS of the MOSTHistory are admitted free as a benefit of FRIENDship. This program is made possible with generous support from the Carmen C. Guerra Endowment. Mrs. Guerra was deeply committed to supporting educational opportunities in the Rio Grande Valley. This named endowment was created at the museum
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by her family to honor her memory and to continue her commitment to providing opportunities for education to the community. The Museum of South Texas History is located in downtown Edinburg at 200 North Closner Boulevard on the Hidalgo County Courthouse square. Hours of operation are from 1 p.m.–5 p.m. Sunday and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday. Founded in 1967 as the Hidalgo County Historical Museum in the 1910 Hidalgo County Jail, the museum has grown over the decades through a series of expansions to occupy a full city block. In 2003, following the completion of a 22,500 square foot expansion, the museum was renamed the Museum of South Texas History to better reflect its regional scope. Today, the museum preserves and presents the borderland heritage of South Texas and Northeastern Mexico through its permanent collection and the Margaret H. McAllen Memorial Archives and exhibits spanning prehistory through the 20th century. For more information about MOSTHistory, including becoming a FRIEND, visit MOSTHistory.org, like us on Facebook, follow on Twitter, find on Google+ or call (956) 383-6911.
Aprenda cómo comprar, Construir y ser dueño de su hogar, ¡todo bajo un mismo techo!
McAllen Convention Center 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Free Bilingual Seminars | Free Credit Reports
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Saturday, June 9, 2018 sábado 9 de junio de 2018
Featuring COMMUNITY SHREDDING EVENT Presentando el evento de trituración comunitario
Service available for documents and disposal of used electronics.
9:00 am - 2:00pm
Enter to Win 2 Season Tickets for the RGV Vipers! ¡Ingresa para ganar dos 2 boletos de temporada para los RGV Vipers!
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McAllen ISD, City Teaming Up Announce Summer Feeding Program Program will serve at least 55 sites this year McAllen ISD’s annual Summer Feeding Program will serve free, nutritious meals at participating feeding sites to children 18 years of age and under this summer. Meals will be provided at 55 sites, many of them twice per day. More sites could possibly be added as the summer goes on. The school district is teaming with the City of McAllen to announce this project. The program will begin on Monday, June 4, at many locations. Meals will be prepared in the district’s modern central kitchen. These meals are fresh and served while hot. Each site will serve meals twice per day but children have the opportunity for up to four meals per day by visiting sites throughout the city. This includes breakfast, lunch, a snack and dinner. The list of sites includes 15 bus routes that take meals into neighborhoods. It’s called Meals on Wheels. These are school buses packed with tasty, nutritious food that visit neighborhoods. This will be the fourth year the district has included Meals on Wheels as part of the Summer Feeding Program. The Meals on Wheels aspect of the program has proven so successful, it has earned national attention. Ms. Molina has presented on this subject to
the School Nutrition Association in Boston. The association also has recognized McAllen ISD for innovations in fighting hunger. As an incentive for participation, there will be weekly and monthly raffle drawings for prizes for children with 100 percent participation in the program. Children will be given punch cards to track their participation. The district has formed partnerships with civic and local business organizations to launch this incentive program. The federal government funds the program through the Texas Department of Agriculture. The school district is reimbursed for the meals it serves. The district served 232,607 meals in summer 2017 – an increase of almost 15 percent from 2016. No documents or proof of income are required. Children can simply show up to any one of the locations throughout the city of McAllen, including schools, City of McAllen facilities, splash pads and parks, and even, places of worship, and a hot meal will be provided. To find summer feeding locations, go to the McAllen ISD website (mcallenisd.org) or City of McAllen website (mcallen.net). You can also dial a state hotline number (2-1-1) to get locations near you. Or, send a text. Type the word “Foodtx” and send to 877-877. For more information on the program, contact the McAllen ISD Child Nutrition Department at (956) 632-3226.
Free Web Development Crash Course Set for June 4-8
Valley Technical Academy will be hosting a free one-week workshop series that will lead participants from prototype design to final website. The course takes place June 4 through June 8, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm each day. The course is open to the public and would work well for students, those in-between jobs, and individuals curious about web development to sign up and immerse themselves in this web development crash course. The workshop will cover design concepts and lead into fundamental web development instruction to allow students to create their own website by the end of the week. Instructors will walk students through Adobe Photoshop, InVision app, and Atom IDE to create a fully functional website. This course will take place at the Center for Education and Economic Development (CEED) building located
on 801 N. Bryan Rd., Mission, Texas. Attendees can sign up at http:// www.valleytechnicalacademy.com/ rush-week-sign/ or call 956 335 3500 to find out more on the course. Valley Technical Academy is an educator of web and mobile app development, user experience design located in Mission, Texas. Its mission is to provide access to a better life by developing students’ skills that lead to high-growth, high-paying careers.
VOL. I, NO. 21
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10 Questions to Help You Learn Your Chance of Getting a Fungal Infection Have you wondered about your chances of getting a fungal infection? Here are 10 questions you can use to understand fungal infections, learn how you can get sick, and know what you need to do to stay healthy. Fungi are everywhere. There are millions of different species of fungi on Earth, but only about 300 of those are known to make people sick. Fungal infections are often caused by microscopic fungi that are common in the environment. Fungi live outdoors in soil and on plants and trees as well as on many indoor surfaces and on human skin. Mild fungal skin infections can look like a rash and are very common. For example, ringworm is a skin infection that’s caused by a fungus, not a worm! Fungal infections in the lungs can be more serious and often cause symptoms that are similar to other illnesses, such as the flu or tuberculosis. Fungal meningitis and bloodstream infections are less common than skin and lung infections but can be life-threatening. Because the symptoms of fungal infections can be similar to other illnesses, proper diagnosis and treatment are often delayed. The more you know about fungal infections and your chances of getting one, the better prepared you can be to protect your health. Where do you live and travel? Fungi that can cause serious infections are more common in some parts of the United States and world. For example, the fungus that causes Valley fever (also called coccidioidomycosis) is found mainly in the southwestern United States. Histoplasmosis and blastomycosis occur most often in the eastern United States. These infections usually cause a lung infection that is often mistaken for flu or a bacterial infection. What types of activities are you doing?Harmful fungi can be found in air, dust, and soil. Histoplasma grows especially well in soil that contains bird or bat droppings. Activities like digging, gardening, cleaning chicken coops, and visiting caves can result in you breathing in fungi that may cause infection. Do you have a dog or cat? People can get ringworm from their pets. Dogs and cats with ringworm sometimes have circular, hairless patches on their skin or other types of rashes. Adult animals do not always show signs of ringworm infection. Have you recently taken antibiotics? Antibiotics can make women more like-
ly to get vulvovaginal candidiasis, also known as a vaginal yeast infection. Women who are pregnant and have weakened immune systems also are more likely to get this condition. Men also can get genital candidiasis. Are you taking any medications that affect your immune system? Medications used to treat conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus may weaken your immune system and increase the chance of getting a fungal infection. Are you living with HIV/AIDS? People living with HIV/AIDS may be more likely to get fungal infections. Two well-known fungal infections associated with HIV/ AIDS in the United States are oral candidiasis (thrush) and Pneumocystis pneumonia. Worldwide, cryptococcal meningitis is a major cause of illness in people living with HIV/AIDS. Will you be hospitalized? In the United States, one of the most common bloodstream infections in hospitalized patients is caused by a fungus called Candida. Candida normally lives in the gastrointestinal tract and on skin without causing any problems, but it can enter the bloodstream during a hospital stay and cause infection. Have you recently had a transplant? People who have recently had an organ transplant or a stem cell transplant have a greater chance of developing a fungal infection while their immune systems are weakened. Doctors prescribe antifungal medication for some transplant patients to prevent fungal infections from developing. Are you receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatments? Cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy and radiation, weakens your immune system and may increase the chance you will get a fungal infection. Do you have symptoms of pneumonia that are not getting better with antibiotics? Fungal infections, especially lung infections like Valley fever, histoplasmosis, and aspergillosis, can have similar symptoms as bacterial infections. However, antibiotics don’t work for fungal infections. Early testing for fungal infections reduces unnecessary antibiotic use and allows people to start treatment with antifungal medication, if necessary. Anyone can get a fungal infection. You can learn more about the signs, symptoms, and treatments by talking with your healthcare provider.
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Tops in nation: 18 Schools Recognized Among America’s Healthiest Schools When it comes to America’s healthiest schools, McAllen ISD is tough to beat. The district leads the nation with 18 schools earning Silver Medal awards and being named among America’s healthiest schools by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, it was announced May 16. In addition, all 32 eligible McAllen ISD schools are on the National Healthy Schools Awards list for the fourth straight year since schools attain their Gold, Silver or Bronze status on a two-year cycle.
With 18 schools, McAllen ISD has more Silver Medal winners than any other school district in the country. They are: • Alvarez Elementary • Bonham Elementary • Castaneda Elementary • Escandon Elementary • Garza Elementary • Hendricks Elementary • Jackson Elementary • McAuliffe Elementary • Navarro Elementary • Rayburn Elementary • Sanchez Elementary • Seguin Elementary • Brown Middle School • Cathey Middle School • De Leon Middle School • Fossum Middle School • Lincoln Middle School • Travis Middle School The other 14 schools will not have to resubmit for award consideration until next year. Of those 14, one is currently Gold (Wilson Elementary), two are Silver and 11 are Bronze. “We believe healthy children make for better learners,” McAllen ISD Superintendent J.A. Gonzalez, Ed.D., said. “Children who grow up with healthy habits will lead more productive lives and enjoy a greater quality of life.” According to the AHG, a child who attends a recognized school will have: • Improved nutrition practices • Increased access to physical education and activity • Strong wellness policies and practices
• Programs that engage students, staff and families in creating a culture of health “McAllen ISD is one of the greatest success stories in terms of the school district promoting the health and wellness of its students,” Dr. Howell Wechsler, CEO for AHG, said at a press conference held in McAllen last fall. The National Healthy Schools Award is a prestigious achievement that celebrates each school’s hard work in creating a healthier school. Schools that receive this award meet best practice criteria established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and outlined in the Healthy Schools Program Framework of Best Practice Criteria. Awards are granted at the Bronze, Silver and Gold levels. Award winning schools are recognized as America’s Healthiest Schools. The district has continually pushed to improve the health of more than 23,000 students through exercise and eating right. Those efforts have led to The Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s recognition of all 32 eligible schools. McAllen ISD has had all its schools recognized as Gold, Silver or Bronze since 2014-15. This represents the district’s greater efforts to promote and instill healthy-living habits for its students. McAllen ISD was the first school district in the nation to have 100 percent of its eligible schools recognized under the old Let’s Move! Active Schools program which was under the AHG umbrella. According to The Alliance, about one in three kids today are overweight or obese. Studies show overweight kids are likely to become overweight and obese adults. The Alliance for a Healthier Generation works to reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity and to empower kids to develop lifelong, healthy habits. Research shows a strong link between a young person’s practice of healthy habits, including a good diet and regular physical activity and an improvement in their overall life outcomes. Begun in 2006, the Healthy Schools Program has grown to become the nation’s most extensive effort to prevent childhood obesity in schools and is now building healthier school environments for more than 18 million students in more than 31,000 schools in every state plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
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