Introduction: 

The Playbook for a Healthier School Environment (Playbook) provides users with the best state and national resources illustrating how school health champions can create a healthy school environment. Video podcasts were also created and incorporated in the Playbook to in order to provide the reader with more in-depth instructions and ideas.  If implemented, schools will comply with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, empower students to make healthy food choices and be physically active, and encourage parents and others to serve as role models.

The Playbook was developed and pilot tested during the 2009-2010 school year through a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) funded Team Nutrition Grant.  Schools participating in the pilot formed Coordinated School Health Teams and followed the seven steps and associated resources outlined below.

Schools wanting to create and maintain a healthy school environment should explore each of the following steps.  Each step is hyperlinked and provides specific resources and webcasts that will help users create a healthy school environment:

• Step 1: Form a School Health/Coordinated School Health Team
• Step 2: Adopt and Implement the Michigan Nutrition Standards
• Step 3: Implement the Michigan Menus
• Step 4: Maximize School Breakfast Program Participation
• Step 5: Apply for the HealthierUS School Challenge Award
• Step 6: Use the National Food Service Management Institute Cooks for Kids Video Series
• Step 7: Integrate Health Promotion Campaigns, Nutrition Education and Physical Education into the School Day and Throughout the School Year
• Step 8: Share your Success Stories
• Download the entire Playbook

If you have questions, please contact the Michigan Department of Education's School Nutrition Training and Programs Unit at the following link: MDE-SchoolNutrition@michigan.gov.

This project has been funded at least in part with Federal funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the view or policies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. We would also like to thank the United Dairy Industry of Michigan for their financial support.