Four SUSD Schools Now in the “Zone”

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (April 16, 2025) – Make that four Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) schools that are now Blue Zones Project® Scottsdale-approved.

In January, Anasazi Elementary School was officially certified by the local Blue Zones organization for its implementation of best practices around student and staff health and well-being.  Right behind it, in February, were Pima Elementary School and Cocopah Middle School, in March.  Last May, Echo Canyon School was SUSD’s first school to receive the local Blue Zones’ nod.

Inspired by the research of National Geographic Fellow and New York Times best-selling author Dan Buettner, the innovative Blue Zones partnership aims to make healthy choices easier for Scottsdale residents, leading to their living longer, happier lives.  The local Blue Zones initiative is sponsored by HonorHealth®, The Cigna Group, and Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona.

Being “Blue Zones-approved” means that the schools have successfully incorporated specific health and well-being initiatives into their school culture and environment.

When Anasazi, located at 12121 N. 124th St., Scottsdale, in the Desert Mountain Learning Community, took on the Blue Zones challenge last year, Principal Jennifer Waldron and her team discovered a natural overlap between the school’s International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) framework and Blue Zones.

“The two complement each other, with both emphasizing whole child wellness,” explained Waldron. “PYP’s inquiry approach to learning naturally incorporates Blue Zones principles of healthy living and community connection through student-led investigations into health, well-being and sustainability. Both frameworks empower students to make choices and take action.” 

To complete its application, Anasazi added a November “Pumpkin Plod” walk-to-school event, hosted a NotMYKid parent presentation on vaping and substance abuse, and stopped using food to incentivize success.  Instead, class parties and school events feature healthy food choices.

At Pima Elementary School, located at 8330 E. Osborn Rd., Scottsdale, in the Coronado Learning Community, Principal Christopher Hodo consulted with principal colleagues Waldron and Echo Canyon’s Kat Hughes before pitching the idea to Pima’s staff and Site Council.  Both groups were on board with the idea.

“Because of our 21st Century/Beyond the Bell program, our kids were already doing many of the things Blue Zones requires, without even realizing it,” said Hodo.  “Our student Garden and Recycle Clubs played a big part in getting us over the finish line, and we’ve added a scholar wellness section to our monthly safety meetings and wellness facts to our daily announcements.”

Scottsdale Blue Zones Organization and Well-Being Coordinator Kris Bio was impressed with Pima’s head start.

“Pima prioritizes student well-being with thoughtful initiatives, like allowing all grade levels to enjoy recess before lunch, promoting mindful eating habits and reducing food waste,” she clarified.  “They also implement the Zones of Regulation, helping students and teachers manage emotions, and engage in weekly ‘U-Time’ lessons that foster mindfulness and team building.”

“Through their Pima Panther Legacy Project, they encourage a strong sense of community by completing various charitable tasks, teaching students the value of empathy and service,” Bio added.

The Blue Zones official also guided Cocopah Middle School, 6615 E. Cholla St., Scottsdale, on its journey, working with school nurse Sarah Patel and Cocopah’s Association of Parents and Teachers (APT).  The Chaparral Learning Community middle school also had a strong foundation going in and has added to it.

“They introduced a roaming healthy snack cart, funded by the APT and parent donations, offering USDA-approved snacks and non-food items,” registered dietician Bio explained.

“Additionally,” said Bio, “they launched a daily walking club during lunch, which has seen over 100 students sign up, with exciting incentives like skipping the lunch line and extra outdoor time, all contributing to a more active and engaged student body.”

New gardens now sprinkle the Cocopah campus and the school’s robust health program includes a disposable cup-free zone, a ban on sugar-sweetened beverages brought to campus and limits on outside food.

Patel credits the Cocopah parent community for her school’s recent certification, giving special credit to APT President Samantha Dollard and 8th grade parent/gardener extraordinaire Kip McCormick, as well as SUSD’s Nutrition Services department.  Most critically, Mustangs students have embraced the Blue Zones path.

“Our Cocopah Student Advisory Committee and Blue Zones Advisory subcommittee helped us work out the practical details of the school’s composting program, making it easy for students and staff to recycle cafeteria and classroom waste and examine food-to-table sustainability,” said Patel.

“Our science classes will continue that education in the classroom,” she continued, “and we have engaged our Life Skills and ALC students to paint the bird houses found around campus and help us manage our new school gardens."

Blue Zones are about much more than food, however.  “We’ve also started engaging in community projects, with our 8th grade students writing to local senior citizens, we encourage students to bike or walk to school, and we are partnering with the local Mollen Foundation to encourage education in farm-to-table initiatives and connections with mindfulness, nature and our communities,” Patel explained.

Cocopah Principal Joseph Olney is exceedingly proud of the results so far.  “It’s been amazing to see how this project has brought all of our stakeholders together to transform our campus.  It’s pretty impressive.”

Cocopah’s Blue Zones approval will be formally celebrated on Earth Day, next Tuesday, April 22.

As the Blue Zones Scottsdale Project moves into its third year, more SUSD schools are planning their own Blue Zones approvals.  SUSD is proud to play a role in helping build a stronger, healthier, happier Scottsdale.
 

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With more than 20,000 students in 30 schools, the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) has been a premier choice for pre-kindergarten through grade 12 public education for 128 years. Located northeast of metropolitan Phoenix, the District serves the educational needs of students and families in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Tempe and Scottsdale. A highly experienced, professionally certified teaching staff fosters a diverse and rigorous educational environment that engages all students in world-class, future-focused learning. Offering gifted learning, special education, career and technical education, and a variety of athletics, arts and enrichment programs and clubs, SUSD provides the rich environment today’s students need to explore their interests, develop important social skills and grow into tomorrow’s leaders. For more information, visit www.susd.org and follow along on social media: Facebook: @ScottsdaleUSD, Instagram: @ScottsdaleUnifiedSD, LinkedIn and YouTube.