WASHINGTON — Prescott Memorial School in Washington, in Knox County, is celebrating, Monday, Feb. 10, after taking the coveted Gold Medal prize in the 3rd Annual WinterKids Winter Games, receiving $5,000 cash for their school.

The regular competition period ended with six Maine schools in a tie for first place. A final tie-breaker challenge, creating a likeness of their school principal out of snow, ranked the schools first through sixth place. 

Jonesport Elementary School won the Silver ($3,000) for Washington County, and Dr. Levesque Elementary School in Frenchville won Bronze ($1,500) for Aroostook County. WinterKids presented the prizes in all-school ceremonies at the winning schools Feb. 5, Feb. 6 and Feb. 10. 

Students from 32 elementary schools, representing each of Maine’s sixteen counties, competed in the WinterKids Winter Games during the month of January. Competition was fierce as students participated in a four-week series of outdoor physical activity, nutrition, family engagement, and winter carnival challenges designed to help them be active in the winter and learn healthy habits.

This year’s theme was Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM). Each school was encouraged to involve volunteers, parents, healthy eating and active living organizations in their community, and hold a winter carnival to close out the month’s events.

Schools competed for weekly points based on the total percentage of the student body that participated. Schools competing in the WinterKids Winter Games received a toolkit full of resources and incentives to help students earn points, including the WinterKids Guide to Outdoor Active Learning — an easy-to-use resource to help kids move, learn, and explore outdoors while meeting education standards, according to Winterkids, in a news release. In addition, schools received bonus points for Weekly Wild Card Submissions, including: a roster video, a meme, a photo and a boomerang.

“Each year of the Games surpasses the last!” said Julie Mulkern, executive director of WinterKids. “We are so proud of each and every child, teacher, parent and staff that put their heart and souls into this month-long challenge to make themselves and their schools a healthier place! Over 7,500 kids and 1,200 teachers and staff statewide set and achieved countless goals with the help of their families and communities! This is a fantastic way to get kids excited about being active and learning outdoors in the winter and living healthier lifestyles.”

Gold Medal Winner: $5,000
Prescott Memorial School, Washington, Knox County

Silver Medal Winner: $3,000
Jonesport Elementary School, Washington County

Bronze Medal Winner: $1,500
Dr. Levesque Elementary School, Frenchville, Aroostook County

4th Place
Leroy H Smith School, Winterport, Waldo County

5th Place
West Bath School, Sagadahoc County

6th Place
Bay Ridge Elementary School, Cutler, Washington County

Tied for 7th Place
Ames Elementary School, Searsmont, Waldo County
Fairview Elementary School, Auburn, Androscoggin County
Helen Thompson School, West Gardiner, Kennebec County
Whitefield Elementary, Lincoln County

Tied for 8th Place
Edna Libby Elementary School, Standish, Cumberland County
Glenburn Elementary School, Penobscot County
HB Emery Jr Memorial School, Limington, York County

Tied for 9th Place
Ash Point Community School, Owl’s Head, Knox County
Brownville Elementary School, Piscataquis County
Sabattus Primary School, Androscoggin County
Swan’s Island School, Hancock County

10th Place
Waterboro Elementary School, York County

11th Place
Bristol Consolidated School, Pemaquid, Lincoln County

The 2020 WinterKids Winter Games are made possible by: The Bingham Program, TD Bank, Subway, Backyard Farms, Emera Maine, Flexible Flyer, Garmin, Mt. Washington Observatory, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, MaineHealth Let’s Go! 5210, MMG Insurance, Sam L. Cohen Foundation, Ski Maine Association, University of New England, and Boston Museum of Science. 

For more details on the games visit: winterkids.org/teachers-schools/winterkids-winter-games. 

WinterKids is the nonprofit organization that helps children develop healthy lifelong habits through education and fun, outdoor winter activity. The organization delivers innovative outdoor programs for families, schools, and communities. WinterKids’ Major Community Sponsor is Hannaford. WinterKids’ Supporting Sponsors are Agren, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Irving Oil, L.L.Bean, Portland Glass, WEX, and WMTW 8, and the Maine’s CW.