LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is recognizing 28 Michigan schools for fostering healthy eating, physical activity habits and tobacco-free lifestyles, and several of them are in Battle Creek.
“Recognizing these schools is more important than ever this year given the challenges we faced together,” Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said in a statement. “The schools being recognized today navigated challenges to go above and beyond to meet the critical health needs of growing children and youth through opportunities to participate in physical activity, nutritious school meals and snacks, and nutrition and health education in-person and remotely.”
The Michigan School Wellness Award program is a collaboration with MDHHS, Michigan Department of Education, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, United Dairy Industry of Michigan and the Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan Coalition.
“Keeping children’s bodies and minds strong through proper nutrition and exercise helps them stay focused in school to achieve academic and personal success,” State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice said. “Wellness lessons learned at school and home can last a child’s lifetime.”
The Michigan School Wellness Award program aims to engage schools statewide in creating healthy environments by establishing School Wellness Teams, completing the Healthy School Action Tools, and implementing sustainable policy and environmental changes.
Schools that have achieved all of these elements are recognized with the top-level Gold award.
Officials say this year’s winners laud such achievements as offering health and physical education in both traditional and virtual settings and supporting school staff so they could be at their best for the students.
The winners of this year’s School Wellness Awards in Battle Creek include:
Gold
- Dudley STEM, Battle Creek
- Fremont International Academy, Battle Creek
- Lamora Park School, Battle Creek
- Pennfield North School, Battle Creek
- Pennfield Purdy School, Battle Creek
- Post Franklin Elementary School, Battle Creek
- Valley View Elementary School, Battle Creek
Silver
- Ann J. Kellogg School, Battle Creek
In addition, Charles Borromeo Catholic School in Coldwater received a Silver award.
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 the full list of school award winners and learn more about the School Wellness Award Program, readers can visit swa.mihealthtools.org/.
