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For the second consecutive year, Robert E. Lee Elementary School is the only school in Tennessee to receive All-Star status as one of America’s Healthiest Schools for the 2024-2025 school year.

“For REL to be recognized two years in a row as Tennessee’s only America’s Healthiest School is more than just an award; it is a reflection of who we are as a community,” said REL Principal Mary Gilbert. This honor belongs to every person who champions the health and well-being of our students. We are receiving this award because of the work of our school board, our director of schools, our leadership team, our dedicated staff, our amazing students, and the parents and community members who show up for kids every single day.”

This recognition is awarded by the Alliance For A Healthier Generation, which celebrates a school’s dedication to supporting the health and well-being of students, staff and families. In total, 1,120 schools from across 34 states were named to the list of America’s Healthiest Schools, with 168 campuses receiving the All-Star designation, earning recognition in all nine topic areas.

This is the fourth-straight year that Robert E. Lee Elementary School has been named one of America’s Healthiest Schools, and the second time it has been designated as an All-Star campus. TCS Director of Schools, Dr. Catherine Stephens, shared Gilbert’s excitement and expressed her congratulations.

“The staff and administration at Robert E. Lee Elementary School work tirelessly for our students and create positive and healthy learning environments for all students,” Dr. Stephens said. “Our district is a better place to be, and it is because of staff members like those we have at REL. To be named the only Tennessee All-Star school for the second consecutive year is a milestone that students, staff, families, and the Tullahoma community as a whole should celebrate. The work being done at REL is amazing, and it is wonderful to see it highlighted at the national level.”

Supporting School Health Services

Robert E. Lee Elementary School has a full-time school nurse, Beth Hill, on staff for student care and support. Nurse Hill provides valuable medical information to the staff who need to know about students with chronic health conditions during the school day. She also shares general health information during professional development and staff meetings.

Each year, with the help of community involvement and support, students receive hearing and vision screenings, while the majority also receive blood pressure and BMI index screenings. Information on healthy eating habits and increased physical activity is provided in both English and Spanish to students and families.

Implementing Local School Wellness Policy

Robert E. Lee Elementary School aligns with TCS District Policy, which includes developing, implementing, monitoring, reviewing, and, as necessary, making recommendations regarding physical activity and nutrition policies. REL physical education met and exceeded the state time requirements while using grant funding for additional physical activity equipment for recess and family engagement activities such as the PE Extravaganza and Field Day.

The district’s Board Certified Behavior Analysts, social workers and the Director of Student Services, Dr. Shannon Duncan, assist families with referrals to community-based healthcare organizations. Additionally, Care Solace and FindHelp.org links are provided on the school’s website, allowing families to find resources based on their zip code.

Improving Nutrition and Food Access

Through the Community Eligibility Provision, every Robert E. Lee Elementary and Tullahoma City Schools student enjoys free breakfast and lunch daily. This effort was made possible by the district’s nutrition department, led by director Angela White. REL fifth-grade students deliver breakfast bags each morning, ensuring every class starts the day with a healthy meal. Additionally, REL partners with local organizations such as 5 Loaves 4 Kids, ensuring students have access to food on weekends.

Before each school year, students tour the cafeteria, meet and greet the staff, and hear important information about lunch choices and nutrition. Additionally, students have the opportunity to learn about and taste new food items and share their opinions. A hard copy of the breakfast and lunch options is sent home with each student monthly.

Bolstering Physical Education and Activity

During the morning announcements at REL, upbeat music and dance opportunities are planned by the student council with principal input. All students have physical education for 45 minutes four times a week, bonus PE for 40 minutes weekly and recess time scheduled for 40 minutes per day. Special education teachers and the PE instructor, Macie Honey, collaboratively plan for bonus PE. Additionally, REL students participate in a PE Extravaganza, formerly known as Field Day, and parents and community members are invited to attend.

Enriching Health Education

Health education lessons are integrated into instruction throughout the school year, including during science, physical education, and English Language Arts. The school nurse, counselor Andrea Parson, teachers and guest speakers will lead these lesson plans. Examples of these lessons include Nurse Hill teaching fifth graders about healthy nutrition choices, while kindergarten students practiced handwashing skills with guidance from high school students. Additionally, Mrs. Parson provides monthly health education during students’ class instruction and individually as needed.

Strengthening Social-Emotional Health and Learning

Robert E. Lee Elementary School uses an evidence-based, sequential, active, focused and explicit curriculum: Harmony Social Emotional Learning (SEL). The school’s primary focus has been on using everyday practices such as Buddy Up, which pairs different students each week to participate in brief activities, discussions and check-ins. On Friendship Fridays, REL fifth-grade and kindergarten partners buddy up, working together on various activities, games, crafts, reading, reviewing sight words and building and engaging in conversation. This partnership has benefited fifth-graders in developing leadership skills as role models and for kindergarten students who need additional social and academic support. Due to this success, other grades are now working with younger grades, such as third-grade students partnering as buddies with first-graders.

Additionally, REL fifth-grade students select Harmony Superlatives, allowing them to nominate and vote on those individuals who exemplify empathy, kindness, respect and more. Legendary Lions are students chosen to assist with special activities throughout the school and participate in crafts, learning-based projects, writing and performances.

Promoting Tobacco-Free Schools

The school counselor and nurse developed lessons using state and national informational materials. During Red Ribbon Week, the school counselor discussed the health risks of smoking, played promotional videos and had guest speakers visit the campus. Additionally, student council representatives provided healthy tips for prevention during the morning announcements to reinforce tobacco and vaping prevention. 

Cultivating Staff Well-Being

Robert E. Lee Elementary School has cultivated staff well-being through several efforts. One of these examples is by providing spaces for staff and visitors to have a relaxed and positive learning environment, including the teacher lounge and conference room. These areas can comfortably accommodate staff so that team-bonding activities can occur. Additionally, the REL PTO offers a “Whoop Woop Wagon,” providing surprise snacks and meals for our staff through various events.

The REL administration also shares a “buddy up” list every Sunday to encourage staff members to check on each other and to express gratitude. Staff members also share weekly important information, where they can highlight shout outs, staff updates, celebrations, notes, compliments and more.

Increasing Family & Community Engagement

REL utilizes several ways to communicate with families, including ParentSquare, which allows two-way communication between teachers and parents. This allows families to have daily updates on their student’s performance and discuss strategies and resources for learning at home.

Additionally, the REL PTO officers and CEO partners collaborate to figure out ways and events to ensure plenty of family engagement. The PTO is active and meets with parents, teachers, and support staff throughout the school year, while school administrators analyze family input to determine more effective ways to improve family engagement and student learning. This past year, Robert E. Lee Elementary School planned a family bingo night, a winter wonderland dance, a Thanksgiving luncheon, Popsicles on the Playground and several educational opportunity nights for students and families to get involved.