Surgeon General - Healthy Schools Create Healthy Students!

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Healthy Schools Create Healthy Students!

In her Prescription for a Healthier Michigan, Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom, Michigan Surgeon General, calls on schools to play an essential role in preserving and promoting community health. "Michigan schools have deep roots in each community," she says. "They have the structure, the credibility and the opportunity to influence the health and wellbeing of our children, as well as to provide a foundation for academic achievement and success."

Do you know if students in your school… learn about the importance of physical activity and healthy eating in the classroom, and then experience cuts in recess time and physical education class? see vending machines filled with not-so-nutritious foods or drinks? see a "Tobacco-Free Zone" sign on school grounds, but see adults smoking directly outside of school doorways?	Health and success in school are interrelated. Schools cannot achieve their primary mission of education if students and staff are not healthy and fit physically, mentally, and socially. The National Association of State Boards of Education
A healthy school environment gives students clear and consistent messages, accurate health information, and ample opportunity for application. The classroom, gymnasium, cafeteria, school activities, and communication systems reinforce and educate students, staff and families on healthy eating, physical activity and tobacco-free lifestyles.

Michigan Surgeon General's Healthy School Environment Recognition Program Do you think your school is a healthy place for students and staff? If so, step up and be recognized! Michigan Surgeon General Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom and Michigan Steps Up, in conjunction with Michigan Action For Healthy Kids want to celebrate the many schools that are doing wonderful things to improve the health of students and staff. Schools that are improving policies, programs and practices that focus on healthy eating, physical activity and tobacco-free lifestyles deserve to be recognized. For an opportunity to have your school recognized, complete the online application by January 20, 2006.

Michigan Steps Up Healthy Schools Workgroup Goal: The Michigan Steps Up Healthy Schools Workgroup will engage 30 state-level school and community organizations and 10% of school buildings (approximately 400) to implement a healthy school environment by establishing Coordinated School Health Teams, completing the Healthy School Action Tool, and joining Michigan Team Nutrition and Michigan Action For Healthy Kids by 2006. Read our Healthy Schools Workgroup Goals to learn more about the Healthy Schools Workgroup's plans to achieve this goal.


	Related Content
•	Healthy Schools Workgroup Goals
•	How your school can get involved
•	Read success stories from other Michigan schools