A.C. Green, former basketball star of the Los Angeles Lakers is definitely in! On Aug. 29, 2011, he partnered with LAUSD to launch the “I’m In” campaign, which is a district-wide initiative to promote school attendance, healthy lifestyle choices and high academic student achievement. This effort to fight childhood obesity and prevent students from dropping out was launched at the new Rancho Dominguez Preparatory School in Carson with the help of LAUSD’s Food Services Division and the support of Los Angeles County Renew LA Grant. Ongoing celebrity appearances will be part of the campaign to continuously encourage student attendance. Schools with most improved attendance will win a “lunch with a celebrity” reward. To encourage healthy eating a new student-driven menu was also released with entrées that are made with only fresh vegetables that are never frozen and recipes that will please students’ taste buds. Among the student approved dishes are the Greek salad, roasted chicken and the tostada salad. The “I’m In” movement to eat healthy, exercise, get rest and attend school promotes the importance of personal responsibility to make choices outside the classroom that affect success inside the classroom. The only question that rests for students, parents and community: are YOU in?
