Why YOU should wear "Gold Sneakers"

What do you think of when you hear the phrase "Gold Sneaker?"

Some may think of a pair of shoes from the 1980's, but in the PreSchool world, it is a certification we are proud to brag about!  In Franklin, Tennessee, the Gold Sneaker is worth its weight in gold!  

The state of Tennessee started this initiative to promote health and wellness and start teaching the healthy habits early on!  The Academy is proud to promote "Fitness Fanatics," our curriculum theme in January, where we really take it to the next level!

In order to obtain a "Gold Sneaker certification," child care centers and PreSchools have to provide a certain number of healthy exercise and dining options.  We have taken a pledge and we want to promote health and wellness in more ways than eating carrots and requiring "recess."  While both of those things are familiar to most in the education world, Gold Sneaker is about much more.

Examples of Gold Sneaker Initiatives

Healthy and Nutritious Eating

Physical Activity

Breastfeeding

Non-Smoking Facility Implementation

Less "Screen Time" 

The initiative promotes physical activity, nutritious eating, breastfeeding, non-smoking facilities and little-to-no screen time.  We adopted these policies years ago and were one of the first centers in the state of Tennessee to achieve Gold Sneaker certification.  I was able to speak on behalf of our preschools to the state to tell them about all the changes we had made due to Gold Sneaker.  It's been a wonderful addition to our program.  For more information and great resource links for parents, please visit 

https://tn.gov/health/topic/goldsneaker

We wish you all a happy and HEALTHY start to your new year!

Thumbs up for "Speak Up!" at Williamson Medical Center

The Academy of Forrest Crossing and The Academy of Westhaven had a great time at the First Annual "Speak Up!" event at the Williamson Medical Center!

The event, aimed to "Speak Up!" against substance abuse for all ages had lots of fun special guests!  All proceeds of this event went to the Williamson County Anti-Drug Coalition.  We got to meet a lot of friends we had not met yet, paint faces, play corn hole, color and hop around!

Academy mascot "Ace" gives "Thumbs Up!" at Speak Up! with Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson, Williamson Medical Center CEO Don Webb and Franklin Mayor, Dr. Ken Moore.

Ace wanted to say thank you to Williamson County Sheriff's Deputies Brian Dobbs and Dominic Calvani!  Thanks for keeping us safe!

Officer Mark Wood from Brentwood Police Department and Ace reminding Tennesseans to "BUCKLE UP!" for safety.

I spy Ace thanking the wonderful EMT's at Williamson Medical Center.

Brentwood Police Department D.A.R.E. Officer Samuel Bady and Ace give the "thumbs up."

One of our new friends mastered the corn hole game... Ace says "Way to go!"

Big thanks to the folks at ServPro Williamson County for putting on this wonderful first annual event!

We even got to see a demonstration for an emergency rescue thanks to Franklin Fire Fighters!

For more information on THE ACADEMY, click here.

For more information on Williamson Medical Center, click here.  

For more information on ServPro of Williamson County, click here.