Mike Wolanin | The Republic Students arrive for the first day of school at Northside Middle School in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022.
A local school is being honored for its efforts to foster wellness.
Northside Middle School has been named one of America’s Healthiest Schools for the 2022-23 school year by Alliance for a Healthier Generation. According to a release from the national organization, 781 schools across 36 states earned this distinction, the highest number of awardees since the program’s inception.
The annual program honors schools for their achievements in promoting the physical, mental and social-emotional health of students, staff and families.
“Today, we invite the nation to join us in thanking America’s Healthiest Schools for their commitment to prioritizing the health of their students, staff, communities and families,” said Kathy Higgins, CEO of Healthier Generation, in an official statement. “In these challenging times, these awardees are a testament to the critical role schools play in establishing whole health as foundational and essential to learning environments — so that all children may thrive.”
Awardees are recognized for implementing best practices in up to nine topic areas. Out of the 15 Indiana schools that were recognized, Northside and Fishback Creek Public Academy in Indianapolis tied for the highest number of recognitions. Both schools were honored in four areas. For Northside, these were: “Enriching Health Education,” “Bolstering Physical Education and Activity,” “Cultivating Staff Well-Being” and “Supporting School Health Services.”
Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. officials said this was Northside’s first time applying for the program.
“This recognition as one of America’s Healthiest Schools is great, positive news for Northside!” said Principal Evan Burton. “Teaching students healthy habits in middle school only assists in helping students make sound choices as they grow up. A healthy school helps students in their present and future and helps the community be better long term.”
Alliance for a Healthier Generation created the America’s Healthiest Schools recognition program to promote health equity and practices that address inequities, particularly for Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color and youth in underserved communities, the organization said in a release.
Any K-12 public or private school in the United States is eligible to apply for recognition, including those who have been honored in previous years.
Healthier Generation will gather school representatives in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 13 and 14 for the America’s Healthiest Schools Leaders Summit. Over 450 teachers, administrators, and thought leaders in health will come together during this time to network, share best practices and recognize honorees.
“We were excited to learn that Northside was one of just 15 Indiana schools to receive recognition, and were tied with just one other school for meeting the award criteria in four topic areas,” said Northside teacher Kyle Burton. “Now that we know Northside’s areas of strength, I believe we will be able to improve moving forward, and be recognized for achievements in additional topic areas in the future.”
