The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Gov. Rick Snyder recently recognized 46 Michigan schools for fostering healthy eating, physical activity habits and tobacco-free lifestyles among more than 17,000 students.
“Schools are in a unique position to encourage young people to develop healthy lifestyles by providing regular opportunities for physical activity and encouraging healthy eating,” said Nick Lyon, MDHHS director. “Our partnerships, collaborative efforts and programs like the School Wellness Awards Program are helping to promote a healthier Michigan.”
The Michigan School Wellness Award program is part of the Michigan Health and Wellness 4 x 4 Plan, and a collaboration with the Michigan Department of Education, the United Dairy Industry of Michigan, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Michigan Action for Healthy Kids and the Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan Coalition. Michigan’s award-winning schools were recognized May 10 during a special ceremony at the State Capitol.
The Michigan School Wellness Award program aims to engage schools statewide in creating healthy school environments by establishing School Wellness Teams, completing the Healthy School Action Tools (HSAT) and implementing sustainable policy and environmental changes. Schools are honored with bronze-, silver- and gold-level awards, with schools achieving all of these elements being recognized with gold awards.
This year’s winners laud such achievements as increasing the amount of time each week that students participate in physical education; farm to school programs; and engaging students to lead for healthy lifestyles. A few local schools made this prestigious list:
Silver
Clinton middle School
Dundee Elementary School
Bronze
Milan Middle School
Ann Arbor Trail Magnet Middle School
To apply for the program, schools provide information about nutrition, physical education/ activity and tobacco-free practices and submit at least one success story.
To view school award winners and learn more about the School Wellness Award Program, visit Swa.mihealthtools.org. For schools interested in completing the HSAT and making healthy changes, visitwww.mihealthtools.org/hsat. For more information about the Michigan Health and Wellness 4×4 Plan, visit Michigan.gov/healthymichigan.
Tune into our local and state newscasts, anytime day or night, for this story and more.
Follow WLEN-FM: 
#wlenradio #wlennews #lenaweenews