American, Barbara Goleman and Hialeah Miami Lakes senior high schools were among 22 Miami-Dade schools that were recognized by First Lady Michelle Obama’s program to promote youth physical activities that is also aimed at increasing academic performance.
Miami Lakes and Country Club middle schools were also recognized by Obama’s third generation initiative named “Let’s Move! Active Schools.”
Last week, Miami-Dade Public Schools Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho announced the schools’ accomplishment for the National Award, and that his region had more schools to receive the recognition than any other large urban district in the United States.
The program, which was launched earlier this year, mobilizes physical education teachers, classroom teachers, parents, administrators, and staff to be “school champions.”
According the Carvalho, the schools were encouraged to sign up at www.LetsMoveSchools.org, where they were guided through a simple, six-step process to evaluate, activate, and celebrate their successes.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools was the first large urban school district to have 100 percent of its schools registered, Carvalho said.
The Let's Move Active Schools National Award is the top physical activities and physical education distinction for K-12 schools.
The award celebrates a school’s commitment to integrating at least 60 minute of physical activities before, during and after the school day.