April 26, 2006

Michigan Surgeon General Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom recognized 30 schools today for making significant improvements in their environment related to healthy eating, physical activity, and tobacco-free lifestyles. The recognition program is part of the Surgeon General’s Michigan Steps Up statewide healthy lifestyles campaign.

“Healthy school environments help students achieve their full academic potential and support children in developing healthy habits for a lifetime,” Wisdom said. “We should all be very proud of these 30 schools for stepping up to create healthier environments.”

More than 200 schools applied for the Healthy School Environment Recognition Program. Bath Elementary School, Kenneth T. Beagle Middle School of Grand Ledge, Kent Education Center - Mayfield of Grand Rapids, and Switzer Elementary School of Shelby Township earned 1st Place “Outstanding Achievement” awards. A list of all 30 recipients is below.

The recognition program – developed by the Michigan Steps Up School Group in collaboration with Michigan Action For Healthy Kids – begins with an online application consisting of six sections that complement the components of Michigan Steps Up. Schools are eligible for four recognition levels and are encouraged to increase their level of recognition each year. Schools earning First Place recognition have formed Coordinated School Health Teams, completed the Healthy School Action Tool, and made noteworthy improvements such as increasing physical activity time and options, increasing access to healthy food and beverage choices, teaching about sun safety at outdoor events, and more.

“Michigan schools, in partnership with parents, have the best opportunity to influence the health behaviors of young people,” said Michael Flanagan, Michigan Superintendent of Public Instruction. “We are so fortunate in Michigan to have educators who are working to create a healthy environment that will benefit our children for a lifetime.”

To learn more about the Healthy School Environment Recognition Program and other resources available for schools, please visit www.mihealthtools.org/healthyschools.asp. For more information about Michigan Steps Up, please visit www.michiganstepsup.org.

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Michigan Surgeon General’s Healthy School Environment Recognition Program

2006 Award Recipients

1st Place: School of Outstanding Achievement

Bath Elementary School (Bath)

Kenneth T. Beagle Middle School (Grand Ledge)

Kent Education Center – Mayfield (Grand Rapids)

Switzer Elementary School (Shelby Township)

2nd Place: School of Excellence

Alcona Elementary School (Lincoln)

Campbell Elementary School (Cass City)

Gateway Elementary School (St. Johns)

Ebeling Elementary School (Macomb)

Harrison Park Elementary School (Grand Rapids)

JKL Bahweting (Sault Ste. Marie)

Oakview South Elementary School (St. Johns)

Schavey Road Elementary School (DeWitt)

Schwarzkoff Elementary School (Sterling Heights)

3rd Place: School of Distinction

Buchanan Elementary School (Grand Rapids)

Cass City High School (Cass City)

Cass City Middle School (Cass City)

Cherryland Middle School (Elk Rapids)

Discovery Elementary School (Williamston)

East Essex School (St. Johns)

Eureka Elementary School (Eureka)

Explorer Elementary School (Williamston)

Hoover Middle School (Taylor)

Slauson Middle School (Ann Arbor)

Traverse City West Senior High School (Traverse City)

Honorable Mention

Barhitte Elementary School (Burton)

Beaumont Elementary School (Waterford)

Jefferson North Elementary School (Newport)

New Buffalo Middle School (New Buffalo)

Saginaw Chippewa Academy (Mt. Pleasant)

Waterford Village Elementary School (Waterford)