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Uniting Trailblazers in Equitable Whole Child Health

America’s Healthiest Schools Leaders Summit is Healthier Generation’s marquee event recognizing schools that have prioritized the health and wellbeing of their students, staff, and families. Each year, this event brings together hundreds of educators, district administrators, experts, and industry leaders dedicated to advancing equitable whole child health.

During the Leaders Summit, we honor and celebrate school and district leaders who have been instrumental in implementing healthy practices to ensure their school is recognized as one of America’s Healthiest Schools. We also showcase the important role corporations play in improving the lives of our nation’s children by presenting the Healthier Generation Corporate Hero Award, with past recipients including Kohl’s, Kaiser Permanente, Nike and others.  

The Leaders Summit offers attendees a unique platform to share success stories, hear from content experts, and network to spark ideas ensuring our next generation is a healthier generation.

Championed by National Leaders

Past Leaders Summit presenters include President William J. Clinton, ADM Rachel L. Levine, MD (U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services), Dr. Caree Cotwright (USDA), Michelle Kwan and Rachael Ray, among many others.   

2024 Agenda

Please note, all times listed below are CT.

2:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Registration + Help Desk + Get Social!

Stop by to collect your name badge and event materials then… GET SOCIAL!
While you’re waiting to check in or after you’ve dropped your bags in your room, get a head start on creating connections. Stop by the photo booth and take snaps for the gram, let your inner Picasso out at the interactive art wall or take a break after your travels in our relaxation room. Because life is better with a little bit of nature, join us at registration at 3pm to head out on a Wellness Walk along the Arkansas River.

5:00 pm - 5:45 pm
Regional Meet-ups

Gather with your peers to network, share resources and discuss challenges and opportunities in your region.

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Welcome Reception

Hear from inspirational changemakers, unwind and network with your fellow awardees as we kick off the Leaders Summit. You'll also have a chance to gather resources from sponsors and exhibitors!

7:00 am - 7:30 am
Rise 'N Shine with The Walking Classroom*

Grab your coffee and get movin’ with fellow attendees! Start your morning off with fresh air and scenic views on the Arkansas River Trail during this 1-miler walk/run. There might even be some surprise guests on the route that are “rooting” for you! (hint hint)

Early bird gets the worm! We’ve got an incentive for you, be one of the first 50 attendees on the trail to find out.

*All levels are encouraged to participate.

8:00 am - 9:00 am
Breakfast
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Share Your Story

Hear from your peers and share your own success as we explore the power of storytelling in making healthier school communities.

10:00 am - 10:50 am
Food is Mood

Join Dr. Kofi Essel as he shares his journey in equitable whole child health and leads attendees through an impactful workshop.

10:50 am - 11:00 am
Snack Break
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Professional Learning 1

Attendees may select one of four innovative and interactive sessions covering topics like chronic absenteeism, staff wellness, inclusive physical activity, youth voice, school connectedness and more.

12:00 am - 1:30 pm
Lunch
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Professional Learning 2

Attendees may select one of four innovative and interactive sessions covering topics like chronic absenteeism, staff wellness, inclusive physical activity, youth voice, school connectedness and more.

2:30 - 3:30 pm
Strategies to Increase Attendance: Addressing Absenteeism through Staff Wellbeing

In this panel discussion and Q+A session, hear directly from schools, district leaders, and whole child health experts on how promoting staff wellbeing can improve attendance rates for both students and educators.

3:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Key Learnings + Reflection
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Mix + Mingle

Shuttles will take you to the William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum, where you will have the opportunity to connect with your peers over light refreshments before the Recognition Ceremony begins.

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Recognition Ceremony

Healthier Generation, along with some very special guests, will celebrate America’s Healthiest Schools and Corporate Hero Awardees in this exclusive presentation.

7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Celebration Dinner

Relax and enjoy a beautiful meal with friends and supporters at the William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum.

7:00 am - 8:00 am
Grab 'n Go Breakfast
8:00 am - 10:30 am
Professional Learnings 3 & 4

Attendees may select one of four sessions lead by Healthier Generation’s Whole Child Health Advisors covering topics like social emotional health, tobacco prevention, staff well-being, physical health, and more.

10:30 am
Departures
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The Leaders Summit was AMAZING! Great leaders sharing their knowledge is what it is all about. I'm inspired and excited to get back to work and make a difference in the lives of my students, staff, and the entire MacArthur community. How wonderful to be a part of something so powerful! Thank you!
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FAQ


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2024 America’s Healthiest Schools awardees who met criteria in a majority of topics are invited to attend the Leaders Summit in person. The school’s primary contact listed on their America’s Healthiest Schools application, as well as a district representative will receive an invitation and may forward to the appropriate contact if necessary—ONE (1) school representative and ONE (1) district representative will be invited for each eligible school.
The Leaders Summit is an in-person event that offers a mix of networking, resource-sharing, professional learning, and celebration. You will hear directly from your peers and other subject matter experts about trends in whole child health and challenges and success in the field – you will also get a chance to share your own story! To celebrate awardees, Healthier Generation will also host a special recognition ceremony with special guest speakers at the William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum, followed by a seated dinner.
It is very important that you select the correct registration type to ensure you are filling out the appropriate registration form and that you receive information that is pertinent to you as an attendee. If you have been invited as a SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVE, select “School Representative” from the drop-down. If you have been invited as a DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE, select "District Representative" from the drop-down. If you are our 2024 CORPORATE HERO AWARDEE, select “Corporate Hero Awardee” from the drop-down. If you sit on the Healthier Generation BOARD OF DIRECTORS, select “Board-Healthier Generation.” If you are a Healthier Generation FUNDER, COMMUNITY PARTNER OR COLLABORATOR, select “Supporter-Healthier Generation.” If you are a Leaders Summit PRESENTER,” select “Presenter-Healthier Generation.”
Once you submit your Leaders Summit registration, you will receive a confirmation email from the registration platform vendor (vFairs) with information on booking travel, hotel information, etc. Some schools / districts / companies have firewalls in place that may prevent you from receiving your confirmation email. Please double check your spam and junk email folders and, if you still do not see your registration confirmation, reach out to Healthier Generation at events@healthiergeneration.org to get the information that you need.
If you were invited as a school or district representative, yes—please select someone who has been instrumental in helping your school meet America’s Healthiest Schools topic area criteria and provide them with the promo code to register and ensure they choose your school or district when registering. If you were NOT invited as a school or district representative, your invitation is not transferable and you should contact your Healthier Generation contact for more information.
Healthier Generation takes great pride in honoring America’s Healthiest Schools for their efforts in building healthier schools for students, staff and families. As such, we cover transportation, lodging and meal expenses for ONE school representative and ONE district representative from each awardee that meets criteria in four or more topic areas.
You will indicate that you will need a room during the online registration process and Healthier Generation will send a rooming list directly to our contracted hotels: the Little Rock Marriott and the DoubleTree Hotel. The hotel will send you your confirmation number closer to the event. Healthier Generation will cover the cost of your room (including taxes and fees) for the nights of Thursday, October 24 and Friday, October 25; however, you may choose to extend your stay at your own expense at the negotiated group rate, based on hotel availability. In any case, you will need to provide your credit card upon hotel arrival to cover incidentals incurred during your stay, as well as extra nights you’ve added to your trip.
If you are a school/district representative attending the event, you will be sent a link with your registration confirmation to book your flight via our travel agency, Travel Leaders Corp. The link will allow you to enter your travel information so that an agent can follow up with you directly to book your flight. If you’re driving to/from the event, you will be reimbursed for your mileage at the government rate, and parking at the hotel will be covered by Healthier Generation. If you did NOT receive an email confirmation immediately after you registered to attend, please contact events@healthiergeneration.org.
Healthier Generation has a room block set up at the Little Rock Double Tree Hotel, next door to the event hotel (Little Rock Marriott). To receive the group rate of $169/night (plus taxes and fees), use this link and use code “908” to book online or call 1-800-HILTONS to book over the phone and indicate you are with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.
Please use the “Agenda” tab at the top navigation to access the agenda for the Leaders Summit. Please note that the agenda is tentative and subject to change prior to the event.
  • Friday – DAY: Smart Casual
  • Friday--EVENING: Business formal – please note that programming on Friday evening will be celebratory event with special guests to honor schools and, as such, some attendees may choose to wear cocktail attire.
  • Saturday: Smart Casual or Athleisure, as this is a travel day
Yes; however, please note that if you plan to extend your trip, you will be responsible for covering any additional costs your extension might incur.
Heavy appetizers will be provided at the Thursday, Oct 24 reception. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided on Friday, October 25. Breakfast will be provided on Saturday, October 25.
Attendees may indicate dietary restrictions in the event registration form.
Please email us at events@healthiergeneration.org and we will get back to you as soon as we can!