For the seventh consecutive year, MacArthur Middle School has earned recognition as a champion for healthy living by the Oklahoma Certified Healthy School program. The program endorses school sites that make a positive impact on the health of children and employees.
Application for the award is coordinated by MMS girls physical education teacher Amy Gilpen.
To apply for recognition, schools must identify activities and policies that are currently offered by their school in each of the nine categories of the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model: (1) Health Education; (2) Physical Education; (3) Health Services; (4) Nutrition Environment and Services; (5) Counseling, Psychological, and Social Services; (6) Physical Environment; (7) Social and Emotional School Climate; (8) Employee Wellness; (9) Family Engagement and Community Involvement. There are three levels of certification to become a Certified Healthy School: Basic, Merit, and Excellence. MMS has earned the "Excellence" certification each of the past seven years.
Started in 2010, the Certified Healthy School Program is administered by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Certified Healthy Schools recognizes school sites that are working to improve student and employee health by providing wellness opportunities and policies that lead to healthier lifestyles.
According to the Certified Healthy Oklahoma website, becoming a Certified Healthy School means MMS is providing a healthy environment for students and employees, along with supporting an overall healthier Oklahoma. By meeting most or all of the criteria to become Certified Healthy, MMS provides an established environment to foster behavior modification among students and employees, in addition to policy adoption and implementation. The award also indicates that MMS supports lifelong healthy habits by introducing children and youth to healthy behaviors and practices now. For more information, visit Certified Healthy Oklahoma online at certifiedhealthyok.com.