Michigan Surgeon General Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom will recognize 57 schools tomorrow at Lansing Community College (LCC) for making significant improvements in their environment related to healthy eating, physical activity, and tobacco-free lifestyles. The recognition program is part of the Surgeon General's Michigan Steps Up statewide healthy lifestyles campaign.

"A healthy school environment gives students clear and consistent messages, accurate health information, and ample opportunity to apply it," Wisdom said. "It helps students be fit, healthy and ready to learn."

More than 100 schools applied for the Healthy School Environment Recognition Program.

Thirteen schools, triple the amount from last year, earned the 1st Place "Outstanding Achievement" award. The ceremony will be held in LCC's West Campus Conference Center with Dr. Wisdom presenting awards at 1 p.m.

"In the past year, the number of schools qualifying for the highest awards has doubled," Wisdom said. "We are tremendously excited that our educators are taking the lead in improving the health of our most treasured resources - our children."

The recognition program ? developed by the Michigan Steps Up School Group in collaboration with Michigan Action For Healthy Kids ? begins with an online application consisting of six sections that complement the components of Michigan Steps Up.

Schools are eligible for four recognition levels and are encouraged to increase their level of recognition each year. Schools earning First Place recognition have formed Coordinated School Health Teams, completed the Healthy School Action Tool, and made noteworthy improvements such as increasing physical activity time and options, increasing access to healthy food and beverage choices, teaching about sun safety at outdoor events, and more.

"Michigan schools, in partnership with parents, have the best opportunity to influence the health behaviors of young people," said Barb Flis, Parent Action for Healthy Kids and Michigan Steps Up School Group Chair. "We are so fortunate in Michigan to have educators dedicated to supporting our children in developing healthy habits that will last a lifetime."

To learn more about the Healthy School Environment Recognition Program and other resources available for schools, please visit www.mihealthtools.org/healthyschools.asp. For more information about Michigan Steps Up, please visit www.michiganstepsup.org.

2007 Healthy School Environment Recognition Awards

1st Place Outstanding Achievement

• Atwood Elementary School
• Bahweting Anishnabe PSA
• Clague Middle School
• Hudson Area High School
• Hunt Elementary School
• Keith Elementary School
• Kent Education Center?Mayfield
• Krause Elementary School
• Lincoln Elementary School
• Monroe County Youth Center
• Saugatuck Middle School
• St. Gerard Catholic School
• Traverse City West High School

2nd Place School of Excellence

• Alma Senior High School
• Ashley Elementary School
• Bendle Middle School
• Bendle Senior High School
• Bingham Academy
• Buchanan School
• Burton Middle School
• Clifford H. Smart Middle School
• Dean A. Naldrett School
• Engadine High School
• Fern Persons Elementary School
• Forsythe Middle School
• Galesburg-Augusta High School
• Galesburg-Augusta Primary School
• Gull Lake Middle School
• Harrison Park Elementary School
• Hudson Middle School
• Interlochen Elementary School
• Lakeview High School
• Meridian Junior High School
• New Buffalo Middle School
• Onsted Community High School
• Onsted Middle School
• Patterson Elementary School
• Reed City High School
• Saugatuck High School
• Schavey Road Elementary School
• Slauson Middle School
• South Bendle Elementary School
• St. Mary Catholic School
• St. Robert Catholic School
• Sugarbush Elementary School
• Washington School
• West Bendle Elementary School
• Williamston Discovery Elementary School
• Williamston Explorer Elementary School

3rd Place School of Distinction

• Central Montcalm Upper Elem. School
• Luce Road Elementary School
• Mid Peninsula School
• North Central Elementary School
• Scarlett Middle School
• Scott Elementary School
• Tappan Middle School

Honorable Mention

• Scottville Elementary School