Vol, 7, No. 7: February 18, 2008		Get SEAchange by email

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3. Nominate a school for the Governor's School Health Award

How does a school win a Governor's School Health Award?

With a Snack Attack Detective, like the one who checks for healthy snacks at Riverside Elementary in Menomonee Falls?

Or with a Healthy Child Junior Team organized by a student, as it was at James Fennimore Cooper School in Milwaukee?

Or perhaps by encouraging collaboration and innovation among educators, maintaining a full-time physical education teacher, or involving parents in the student health mission?

According to some of last year's winners of the Governor's School Health Award, these activities were secrets of their success.

There are probably more schools in Wisconsin with aces up the sleeve for promoting healthy nutritional choices, encouraging staff and student wellness, getting students active, and preventing alcohol, tobacco, and drug use. Schools judged to meet or exceed a set of six baseline requirements are eligible for the awards. Applications are due by March 14.

The Governor's School Health Awards are a project of Governor Jim Doyle and State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster.

Another 2006-07 award-winner, Richmond Elementary School in the Appleton Area School District, reports that more students in their surveys report eating breakfast and finding they are more energetic and have an easier time concentrating during the mornings. James Fennimore Cooper School in Milwaukee says students are bringing more fruits and vegetables instead of chips for lunch, and that at bake sales, students buy out the healthy foods.

If striving for the recognition of a Governor's School Health Award will help produce results like these, the effort will be well worth it.

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Last updated on 2/18/2008