More than two dozen schools are being hailed for efforts to not only keep kids safe during the pandemic, but at the same time, promoting healthy lifestyles.
28 Michigan schools are recipients of the Michigan School Wellness Award program for fostering healthy eating, physical activity habits and tobacco-free lifestyles, while impacting more than 14,000 students during the 2020-2021 school year.
"Recognizing these schools is more important than ever this year given the challenges we faced together," said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS. "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 winners of this year’s School Wellness Awards include:
Gold
- Almont Middle School, Almont
- Auburn Elementary School, Auburn Hills
- Brookside Elementary School, Big Rapids
- David Ellis Academy, Detroit
- Dudley STEM, Battle Creek
- East Leroy Elementary School, East Leroy
- Fremont International Academy, Battle Creek
- Highland Pines School, Caro
- Jesse L. Anderson Elementary School, Trenton
- John D. Pierce Middle School, Waterford
- Lamora Park School, Battle Creek
- Pennfield North School, Battle Creek
- Pennfield Purdy School, Battle Creek
- Post Franklin Elementary School, Battle Creek
- Paul Robeson Malcolm X Academy, Detroit
- Valley View Elementary School, Battle Creek
- Vassar High School, Vassar
Silver
- Ann J. Kellogg School, Battle Creek
- Bentley Middle School, Burton
- Boyne City Middle School, Boyne City
- Galesburg-Augusta Middle School, Augusta
- Grass Lake Middle School, Grass Lake
- Marquette Elementary School, Detroit
- J. DeJonge Junior High School, Ludington
- Charles Borromeo Catholic School, Coldwater
- Swan Valley Middle School, Saginaw
- Vista Charter Academy, Wyoming
Bronze
- Henry Ford II High School, Sterling Heights