By Mary Drier
Staff Writer
LANSING — The Akron-Fairgrove School District’s Elementary School was the only one from the Thumb area to be recognized for taking the initiative to build a healthier school environment with their participation in the Michigan Health and Wellness 4 x 4 plan.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Governor Rick Snyder recognized 24 schools for promoting healthy living among students. Akron-Fairgrove’s elementary school was the 2015 bronze recipient of the state’s School Welness Award.
“This recognition is a well-earned milestone celebrating the healthy school environment created at Akron-Fairgrove that fosters healthy eating, physical activity habits and the tobacco-free lifestyles that help students learn and succeed in school,” said 31st District Senator Mike Green, who presented the state tribute to Akron-Fairgrove Elementary Principal Rebecca Crosby.
The Michigan School Wellness Award program aims to engage schools statewide in creating healthy school environments by establishing Coordinated School Health Teams, completing the Healthy School Action Tools and implementing sustainable policy and environmental changes. Schools that have achieved each of these elements are recognized with the top level gold award.
“Attaining the level of excellence reflected at Akron-Fairgrove Elementary is attributed to clearly understanding the learning connection between a healthy school environment and academic performance,” Green said. “By using a team approach, they are creating sustainable healthy environments that influence learning and help students grow into healthy, productive adults.”
Green and other lawmakers understand the school’s accomplishment is a group effort of everyone in the district.
“Principal Rebecca Crosby, Superintendent Steve Ley and all the dedicated parents of Akron-Fairgrove Elementary realize that a key part of achieving great results is understanding the impact that a healthy school has on learning,” Green said. “Akron-Fairgrove set their sights on creating an environment where messaging is clear and consistent and the healthy choice is the easy choice.
“Clearly, the fortunate students at Akron-Fairgrove are well along the path to a quality education and a bright, healthy future.”
More than 10,000 students in the 24 schools participated in the program.
“The effort put forth by these schools to promote healthy lifestyles has helped contribute to a decline in childhood obesity and is proof that Michigan is moving in the right direction,” said Nick Lyon, director of MDHHS.
This year’s winners were recognized for achievements such as no-cost physical activity opportunities before and after school, universal breakfast, alternative breakfast methods, school gardens, developing and implementing polices related to healthy eating, tobacco-free environments, physical education and promoting healthy habits to school staff members.
The tribute was signed by Green, 84th District State Rep. Edward Canfield, Gov. Rick Snyder and Lt. Gov. Brian Calley.