Atlanta Public Schools (APS) mandates that each school have a Wellness Committee comprised of parents and staff members. The purpose of the SPARK Wellness Committee is to promote services, programs, and policies that will help our children, staff, and community develop healthy physical activity and nutrition-related behaviors.

The efforts of the Wellness Committee in 2010-2011 resulted in SPARK receiving our first Bronze recognition award from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation!

At SPARK, we have many wonderful programs planned for this year to achieve these goals. Brief descriptions are given below, but check this page frequently for updates and additional details.

More ways to get fit at SPARK

• SPARK has a chapter of Girls On the Run, a running club for our 3rd, 4th and 5th grade girls that meets weekly to promote character development and physical fitness. Information to come soon!
• SPARK also has a Jump Rope Club that meets weekly before school. Stay tuned for more information!

Promotion of Healthy Eating Habits
The Wellness Committee partners with the Schoolyard Sprouts™ program. This farm-to-school program has an overall goal of teaching students to make healthy food choices for themselves and the environment. We use our rooftop and land-based gardens for hands-on learning to promote awareness of the food chain, understanding of where our food is sourced, and healthy eating habits/nutrition awareness. Through Schoolyard Sprouts™, lessons are developed in conjunction with grade level curriculum goals in many subjects.

Schoolyard Sprouts™ also provides food tastings for each grade level. Each month, one grade level will participate in harvesting organic veggies from the garden, and having them prepared in a unique, healthy way for the students. The children at every grade level will learn different ways to prepare vegetables in season for that particular month.

The recipes will be prepared by Chef Andrew Smith from Atkins Park Restaurant. A Wellness parent volunteer will always be assisting the chef and talking about the benefits of local and organic food. After the students participate in the tasting the recipes will be posted on this page and sent to each grade level parent.

Fresh Fruit Fridays

Once each semester on a Friday, each grade level will receive a healthy, fresh fruit snack as they leave to go home (sponsored by Whole Foods Ponce). Schedule coming soon!

Healthy Snacks and Celebrations

At SPARK, we encourage parents and children to eat low sugar, healthy snacks free of artificial sweeteners. For examples of good snack items, refer to the SPARK Food and Nutrition Guidelines.

The Wellness Committee also provides resources and support to teachers to encourage the use of non-food and non-candy rewards in the classroom.  For examples, refer to the Teacher Letter and Reward Coupons.

Produce of the Month
Sponsored by APS, a different fruit or vegetable is highlighted in the cafeteria each month.

Wellness Ambassadors
Wellness Ambassadors are part of Atlanta Public Schools' Wellness Initiative. This year, SPARK will take part with the appointment of several 5th grade students to represent SPARK as role models for healthy fitness and nutrition habits. Our student ambassadors will assist the Wellness Committee and represent our school in district-wide functions.

Green Initiatives
The Wellness Committee also works to make SPARK as “green” as it can be. The Green Team develops and implements efforts that contribute positively to the environment such as recycling and composting.

Join the Wellness Committee
Come and be a part of Wellness at SPARK! Meetings will be held twice a semester. There are also many opportunities to volunteer throughout the year. For more information, contact the Wellness Chair Nadia Aziz.

Volunteer at SPARK