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22 MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS RECOGNIZED BY FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA FOR PROMOTING YOUTH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY On February 28, 2015, First Lady Michelle Obama launched the third generation of Let’s Move called Let’s Move! Active Schools (LMAS). The intent of LMAS is to create healthy, active school environments by getting all youth physically active for a minimum of 60 minutes daily, before, during, and after school, to increase academic performance. Studies show that active kids do better. Physical activity not only helps kids stay healthy and strong, but it can also lead to higher test scores; speed of cognitive processing; better attention; concentration and memory; improved attendance; better behavior in class and lower rates of childhood obesity. Miami-Dade Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho was pleased to announce that on September 9, 2015, 22 M-DCPS schools, received the Let’s Move! Active Schools National Award among 525 schools nationally. M-DCPS had more schools receive this recognition than any other large urban district in the United States. The program mobilizes physical education teachers, classroom teachers, parents, administrators, and staff to be “school champions”. Schools were encouraged to sign up at www.LetsMoveSchools.org, where they were guided along through a simple, six-step process to evaluate, activate, and celebrate their successes. Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) was the first large urban school district to have 100% of its schools registered. As a collaborative effort between leading health and education organizations, Let’s Move! Active Schools provides school leaders the resources to implement a comprehensive physical activity program in five areas: physical education, physical activity before and after school, physical activity during school, staff involvement, and family and community engagement. At the launch of Let’s Move! Active Schools, First Lady Michelle Obama shared, “When kids have early, positive experiences with physical activity, it sets them on the course for life, shaping their habits not just when they’re young, but as adults, as well.” The Let’s Move! Active Schools National Award is the top physical activity and physical education distinction for K-12 schools. The award celebrates a school’s commitment to integrating at least 60 minutes of physical activity before, during and after the school day. The following M-DCPS schools will be recognized at the next school board meeting, Wednesday, October 14, 2015: Charles R. Hadley Elementary, Claude Pepper Elementary, Coconut Grove Elementary, E.W.F. Stirrup Elementary, Gulfstream Elementary, Pine Lake Elementary, Royal Palm Elementary, South Pointe Elementary, Eugenia B. Thomas K-8 Center, Fienberg-Fisher K-8 Center, Gateway Elementary, Allapattah Middle, Country Club Middle, Hialeah Gardens Middle, Miami Lakes Middle, Palm Springs Middle, American Senior High, Barbara Goleman Senior High, Felix Varela Senior High. Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High, Medical Academy –Science Tech, and Robert Morgan Educational Center. For further information regarding the District’s physical education programs or this program, please contact Ms. Marie Izquierdo, Chief Academic Officer, Office of Academics and Transformation, at 305 995-1451, or Dr. Jayne D. Greenberg, District Director, Physical Education and Health Literacy, at 305 995-1963. # # # 15-DGD/054/TC
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