GENYOUth

New research from GENYOUth reveals that students in schools with a strong culture of wellness are 2 to 4 times more likely to report positive future expectations.

The difference that a wellness culture makes is striking:
✅ 95% of students plan to graduate high school (vs. 58% in schools with a weak wellness culture)
✅ 92% expect a lot of themselves in the future (vs. 33%)
✅ 91% have high goals and expectations for themselves (vs. 29%)
✅ 83% always try to do better in their schoolwork (vs. 17%)

When students feel nourished, active, respected, and connected, they strive for success and aim higher. A positive wellness culture isn't a "nice to have." It's a “must” for academic and future success.

Read the full GENYOUth Insights report here: https://shorturl.at/DT04s



Tag:
AASA, The School Superintendents Association
Action for Healthy Kids
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Cooper Inst
Food Research & Action Center
National Dairy Council
National Fitness Foundation
SHAPE America
Global Child Nutrition Foundation
Congressional Hunger Center
NE Association of School Boards
World Food Prize Foundation
NFL

What do students say they need to show up, engage, and thrive? Today at the 2026 Healthy Kids, Healthy Programs Summit, we heard it straight from a student himself. 🎤

"Present, Engaged, and Thriving: The Power of a Wellness Culture in Schools" brought together GENYOUth’s Laura Hatch, school nurse Heather Nee and GENYOUth National Youth Council member Sam, who highlighted new youth-informed research from GENYOUth through his lived experience.

The research shows that when students feel respected, nourished, active, and connected — they show up.📚 Meaningful student engagement is a key part of the equation. Sam’s story brings this to life, and he shared how he worked with his school nurse and school nutrition department to build student voice into the menu selections. It’s been a win-win. When students have input into decisions that impact them, they are more likely to participate and thrive.

Grateful for a room full of school nutrition professionals, nurses, and wellness coordinators ready to elevate student voice and build school cultures where every student can thrive.

The Entrepreneur of Impact competition is gaining momentum! Competitors are working their way from the Semi-Finals to the Final Round. Soon, one entrepreneur will receive an appearance in an Entrepreneur Magazine advertorial, $25,000, and a one-on-one mentoring session with Daymond John. This competition proudly benefits GENYOUth in our mission to provide schoolchildren with greater access to nutrition and physical activity. You can help decide who becomes the next Entrepreneur of Impact! Learn more and support your favorite entrepreneur by following this link https://entrepreneurofimpact.org/browse/2026!

Our new GENYOUth Insights report confirms what youth are telling us: school meals and physical activity aren’t just nice to have — they’re essential to the school day.

🏃 2 in 3 students with strong attendance say physical activity makes them want to come to school each day.
🍽️ 9 in 10 say breakfast and lunch make the whole school day better.
💡 More than half report that eating school breakfast improves their focus, academic performance, and mental well-being.

Engagement starts with showing up. And students show up when we meet their most fundamental needs.

See what else youth are telling us → https://shorturl.at/DT04s



Tag:
AASA, The School Superintendents Association
Action for Healthy Kids
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Cooper Inst
Food Research & Action Center
National Dairy Council
National Fitness Foundation
SHAPE America
Global Child Nutrition Foundation
Congressional Hunger Center
NE Association of School Boards
World Food Prize Foundation
NFL

Two major opportunities. One goal: healthier, more active schools — and we're here for it. 🙌

This May, in honor of National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, our friends at Action for Healthy Kids are spotlighting two ways school districts can take action RIGHT NOW:

🏈 NFL FLAG In-School PLAY 60 Champions
District applications are due TOMORROW, May 15. This is a powerful program that brings sustainable, structured physical activity to more students — exactly the kind of systemic change we believe in.

🎥 The Movement Imperative — Live Webinar
Tuesday, May 19 | 12 PM ET
Join a national conversation on how schools are making movement a daily priority — and why it matters for student health, engagement, and learning.

At GENYOUth, we know that when students move more, they learn better, feel better, and show up ready to thrive. These opportunities are exactly the kind of action that moves the needle for kids.

🔗 Explore both opportunities via the links in the first comment.

🚨 FINAL DAY 🚨

Today is your last chance to apply for NFL FLAG-In-School and become a PLAY 60 Champion!

Don’t miss the opportunity to bring flag football—and more movement—to your school.

Apply now: flag.genyouthnow.org

⏰ Just one day left!

Celebrate National Physical Fitness Month by applying for a FREE NFL FLAG-In-School kit, becoming a PLAY 60 Champion, and bringing more movement to your students.

Apply by tomorrow: flag.genyouthnow.org

We are proud to celebrate GENYOUth Board Chair Nancy Dalton, Director at Amazon, who was honored last night with the Social Impact Award at the Manhattan Power List! 🌟

Nancy’s leadership and commitment to community, opportunity, and meaningful impact continue to inspire all of us. We are deeply grateful for her partnership in advancing GENYOUth’s mission in collaboration with CEO Ann Marie Stazenski Krautheim — helping ensure more youth are nourished, active, and empowered to thrive.

Congratulations, Nancy, and thank you for all you do!

Girls are twice as likely to drop out of sports by middle school.

NFL FLAG-In-School is helping keep girls in the game—building confidence, teamwork, and lifelong healthy habits.
Apply today for a FREE kit and become an NFL FLAG-In-School PLAY 60 Champion: flag.genyouthnow.org

Leadership in action. 🎯

In a new Forbes Nonprofit Council, GENYOUth CEO Ann Marie Stazenski Krautheim and Action for Healthy Kids CEO Rob Bisceglie are calling on nonprofits and corporations to move beyond silos—and align around a shared commitment to student well-being.

Their message is timely and clear: Today's challenges don't exist in silos — and solutions shouldn't either.

From food insecurity and declining physical activity to rising mental health needs, students across the country need more than fragmented support. They need coordinated, scalable action.

That's why GENYOUth and Action for Healthy Kids came together six months ago — combining national reach, proven programs, and deep school partnerships to advance a more unified, whole-child approach to student wellness.

"This is a moment to work stronger together — aligning missions, strategies, and strengths to drive greater results."
Read how these two leaders are redefining collaboration to help fuel healthier, stronger futures for every child.
🔗 https://bit.ly/48GVcZC

Today we celebrate the amazing School Lunch Heroes who make a difference in students’ lives every day! 🦸‍♀️🍎 Their hard work and dedication help keep kids nourished, focused, and ready to succeed. We thank them for being true champions of child health and wellness in school cafeterias across the nation!