Growing Well with Mercy

Growing Well with Mercy (formerly Mercy Goes to School) was developed in response to limited funding within local school districts to provide health education to elementary age students. Mercy Hospital of Folsom is the sponsoring hospital for the program, which is taught in 29 of 31 elementary schools and specifically targets the five local Title 1 schools. Growing Well with Mercy reaches over 10,000 students annually.

 

Growing Well with Mercy provides free health education for grades K-6 with curriculum that is focused on the importance of nutrition for good health and the importance of healthy habits to prevent germs, like proper hand-washing to prevent the spread of the H1N1 flu. The nutrition component addresses the increased rate of obesity in children with presentations that teach students how to choose a balance of "Go and Grow" foods from the Food Pyramid. Students receive related materials that they can share with their families. Teacher program evaluations and collaboration with the district's School Health Advisory Committee help determine programming for Growing Well with Mercy.