VHECH recognized for active school environment

Let’s Move! Active Schools (LMAS), an initiative of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign, has honored Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights (VHECH) for its outstanding efforts in creating an active school environment.

The 2014 Let’s Move! Active Schools National Recognition Award celebrates a school’s commitment to helping students learn, focus and grow through the integration of physical activity before, during and after the school day. Less than 1 percent of U.S. schools are recognized with this honor, according to a release from LMAS.

“I am so proud of the many accomplishments each and every VHECH student makes on a daily basis,” said Dr. Kay Cooper, VHECH principal. “I’m especially proud of the hard work of our P.E. teacher, Jeremy Andrews, on behalf of our school and Let’s Move! Active Schools. Our students work very hard both mentally and physically each day, and they’re supported by the most loving and caring faculty and staff. This is a win all-around for the whole school.”

Powered by a national collaboration of leading health and education organizations, LMAS is a physical activity and physical education solution with a declared mission to ensure that 60 minutes of physical activity is the new norm for schools. To earn the LMAS National Recognition Award, a school must meet significant benchmarks in five areas: physical education, physical activity before and after school, physical activity during school, staff involvement and family/community engagement.

 “We’re so proud here at VHECH of the hard work of the parents, teachers and students,” physical education teacher Jeremy Andrews said. “Being physically active on most days of the week is the key to a healthy lifestyle. To be awarded for what we do each and every day is an honor.”

More information on the LMAS program is available at letsmoveschools.org.