Governor rewards schools for healthy practices

Three South Dakota schools and one school district are the recipients of $5,000 awards under the Governor’s Healthy School recognition program.

Winners of the first Governor’s Healthy School Award are Sioux Valley Elementary in Volga, Chamberlain Middle School, T.F. Riggs High School in Pierre, and the Meade School District. The awards were presented at the Joint Convention in August.

“We congratulate our winners for providing a well-rounded approach to student learning,” Gov. Mike Rounds said in a media release. “They know that healthy students learn better, and these schools are doing a great job of finding ways to promote student and staff wellness.”

Winning schools were chosen for their efforts in areas such as health promotion for staff, health education, family and community involvement, school-based nutrition programs, health services, physical education, healthy school environment, and counseling services.

The Governor’s Healthy School recognition program is designed to spotlight the importance of healthy practices in schools, especially for programs that directly affect students and staff. It rewards schools that promote healthy practices with $5,000 and a banner to display at the school. Winners are chosen at four levels: elementary school, middle school/junior high, high school, and school district. 

This year’s finalists included Brandon Valley Middle School in Brandon, Central High School in Aberdeen, and the Watertown and Yankton school districts. Finalists each receive a plaque.

For more information on how to develop your school health programs, contact Kari Senger at the Department of Education, (605) 773-6808. kari.senger@state.sd.us