ELKHART COUNTY -- Students at Roosevelt K-2 Primary School have popcorn parties instead of pizza parties when they want to celebrate an accomplishment. Around the holidays, when they take pictures with Santa, each child receives a book instead of a sugar-laden candy cane.

These changes might be small, but they promote health and well-being to the 594 students in preschool through second grade.

"Their moods are much better throughout the day, much more consistent," said ass istant principal Andy Wood. "When kids are allowed to consume candy or sugary snacks it will peak their blood sugar. Then they come off that peak in a bad mood."

Small changes like that earned Roosevelt a gold Healthy School Food Award from the Elkhart County Childhood Obesity Initiative.

Elementary, middle and high schools throughout Elkhart County are being rewarded for making healthy changes to the food they serve during school hours and during after-school activities.

Seventeen of the county's schools are receiving Healthy School Food Awards from the Elkhart County Childhood Obesity Initiative this fall.

The initiative aims to offer healthy food and drink choices throughout school areas, especially in vending machines, concession stands, classroom snacks and school fundraisers. Officials from Goshen Health System, the Elkhart County Health Department and Elkhart General Hospital work together to make up the initiative, which was founded in 2005. The initiative is primarily funded by those organizations.

Each public school in Elkhart County was allowed to apply for the award for changes made during the 2008-09 school year. The Healthy School Food booklet gives those schools an outline for changes they can make.

"There's some evidence that's linking things like poor nutrition, physical activity and obesity to poor school performance," said Michelle LeCount, coordinator of the initiative. "The health of the students impacts their academic achievements, so that's why it's such an important issue to address."

At Roosevelt, no vending machines are available to students and the vending available to staff offers water and juice in addition to soda. Of their school fundraisers, only about 10 percent include food. The other 90 percent includes items such as wind chimes, garden items, cooking utensils and holiday items. When parents bring in treats for a classroom snack, the administration will screen them before letting them into a classroom.

"Some parents take it very seriously," Wood said. "They apologize and will take the cupcakes back. Others have strong opinions and say, 'It's my child's birthday and I'm going to let them eat what they want.'"

HEALTHY SCHOOL FOOD AWARDS

GOLD AWARDS

Roosevelt Elementary

Chamberlain Elementary

Parkside Elementary

SILVER AWARDS

Hawthorne Elementary

Monger Elementary

New Paris Elementary

Goshen High School

Waterford Elementary

West Goshen Elementary

Jefferson Elementary

Orchard View Elementary

York Elementary

Nappanee Elementary

NorthWood Middle

BRONZE AWARDS

Woodland Elementary

West Side Middle

NorthWood High School