Schools encouraged to apply for School Health Awards

Governor Jim Doyle and State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster are encouraging schools that promote healthy eating, physical activity, alcohol and drug-free lifestyles, and parental and community involvement to apply for a Governor’s School Health award. The award program was initiated in the fall of 2005 to help improve children’s health, fitness, and nutrition.

“We want our schools to create a healthy environment that contributes to student success, but also helps combat childhood obesity, which has become a state and national concern,” Governor Doyle said. “This program allows both private and public schools to be recognized for educating students, school staff members, and families on how to make healthy choices that last a lifetime.”

“Schools earning these awards recognize that what happens in the classroom is directly related to what happens in the gymnasium, cafeteria, at home, and in the community. These efforts support children’s academic achievement and long-term nutritional and physical health,” said Burmaster.

Award categories are:

• School Policies and Management – includes having a school health advisory council and wellness policy
  
  
• Physical Education and Physical Activity – meeting goals for students’ physical activity, promoting physical activity outside of school, and establishing partnerships that support physical activity
  
  
• Healthy Eating and Nutrition Education – offering school breakfast and school lunch programs that meet healthy school meals criteria, providing nutrition education, and offering more healthy food and beverage choices on the school campus during both the school day and after school
  
  
• Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug-Free Lifestyles – includes having policies prohibiting alcohol, tobacco, and drug use on school property and at school functions; assessing student alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse (ATODA) behavior, attitudes, and perceptions; and providing an effective ATODA prevention program
  
  
• Parent and School Partnerships – parental involvement in school-sponsored health education and promotion activities, a formal structure to foster parent and school partnerships, and surveying parents regarding student health and safety needs
  
  
• Staff Wellness – having an established program or policy supporting staff wellness, a staff wellness coordinator, taking steps to strengthen the staff wellness program, providing opportunities to improve physical fitness and healthy eating habits, and incorporating other important components into a staff wellness program

Interested schools have until March 16, 2007, to apply for the 2006-07 awards. Schools should pre-register for the program via the web at www.schoolhealthaward.wi.gov, assemble a team to review the school’s health initiatives, and then complete and submit the award application.

A review panel from the Department of Health and Family Services, the Department of Public Instruction, and the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Health will evaluate the applications and recommend awards at the bronze, silver, and gold level. Information about past winners, updated award criteria and sponsors can be found at http://www.schoolhealthaward.wi.gov.

Last updated on 11/20/2006