Let's Move! Active Schools Announces 2016 National Award Recipients

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Let's Move! Active Schools, part of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative, announced its 2016 National Award recipients. Five hundred and forty-four U.S. schools, representing 41 states plus the District of Columbia, were recognized for their outstanding efforts in creating an Active School environment.

The Let's Move! Active Schools National Award is the nation's top physical education and physical activity distinction for K-12 schools. The award celebrates a school's commitment to providing students with at least 60 minutes of physical activity before, during and after school each day.

"I applaud these schools for creating Active School environments that are inspiring students to be more engaged learners and ensuring that physical education and physical activity continue to be an important part of every child's educational experience," said First Lady Michelle Obama.

Studies show that Active Kids Do Better. Physical activity not only helps kids stay healthy and strong, but it can also contribute to higher test scores, improved attendance, better behavior in class, enhanced leadership skills and a lifetime of healthy habits.

Powered by a national collaborative of health, education and private sector organizations, Let's Move! Active Schools is dedicated to ensuring at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day is the norm in K-12 schools across the country. All partners work together through the collective impact framework to equip schools with physical education and physical activity resources, programs, professional development and activation grants that help create Active School environments.

To earn a Let's Move! Active Schools National Award, a school must have met significant benchmarks in five areas: physical education; physical activity before and after school; physical activity during school; staff involvement; and family and community engagement.

This year, honorees will receive a large display banner, certificate and congratulatory letter from the First Lady.

Check out the honorees: 2016 Let's Move! Active Schools National Award Recipients.

Since its February 2013 launch, more than 20,000 schools in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia have enrolled in Let's Move! Active Schools, reaching more than 11 million students. Find out more at www.letsmoveschools.org.

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SOURCE Let's Move! Active Schools

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