Georgia Morse Middle School in Pierre named to national list of America’s Healthiest Schools

SEPTEMBER 27, 2023:

A school in Pierre is one of 781 schools in 36 states named to Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s 2023 list of America’s Healthiest Schools. The complete list of schools making the list for the 2022-23 school year was released this week (Sept. 26, 2023).

Audrey Rodriguez with Healthier Generation says Georgia Morse Middle School is the only school in South Dakota to make the list. She says this recognition celebrates schools for their achievements in advancing the physical, mental and social-emotional health of students, staff and families. Georgia Morse Middle School won distinction in the “Increasing Family and Community Engagement” area (sponsored and presented by Kohl’s).

Kathy Higgins, chief executive officer at Healthier Generation, commends the schools on the list for “their commitment to prioritizing the health of their students, staff, communities and families.”

Next month (Oct. 13-14, 2023), Healthier Generation will gather school representatives in Washington, DC, for the America’s Healthiest Schools Leaders Summit. More than 450 teachers, administrators, and thought leaders in health will come together to network, share best practices and recognize the achievements of these distinguished schools.

GMMS’ Physical Education/Health teachers for the 2022-23 school year were Miguel Manriquez, Jackson Bruce, Randi Diehm and Cody Ryckman. GMMS was awarded with a Bronze distinction the first year of the program in back in 2015. The last time a school from South Dakota made the list was 2016.

Schools can be recognized for implementing best practices in up to nine topic areas, based on criteria in the Thriving Schools Integrated Assessment:

1. Strengthening Social-Emotional Health & Learning, presented in collaboration with Harmony SEL at National University and Kaiser Permanente

2. Cultivating Staff Well-Being, presented in collaboration with Harmony SEL at National University and Kaiser Permanente

3. Increasing Family and Community Engagement, presented in collaboration with Kohl’s

4. Improving Nutrition and Food Access

5. Implementing Local School Wellness Policy

6. Bolstering Physical Education and Activity

7. Enriching Health Education

8. Promoting Tobacco-Free Schools

9. Supporting School Health Services

Visit HealthierGeneration.org/HealthiestSchools to view 2023’s America’s Healthiest Schools.

JULY 29, 2023:

A school in Pierre is the only one in South Dakota to be selected for Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s 2023 list of America’s Healthiest Schools.

Audrey Rodriguez with Healthier Generation says this recognition celebrates schools for their achievements in advancing the physical, mental and social-emotional health of students, staff and families. She says Georgia Morse Middle School won distinction in the “Increasing Family and Community Engagement” area (sponsored and presented by Kohl’s).

GMMS’ Physical Education/Health teachers for the 2022-23 school year were Miguel Manriquez, Jackson Bruce, Randi Diehm and Cody Ryckman.

GMMS was awarded with a Bronze distinction the first year of the program in back in 2015. The last time a school from South Dakota made the list was 2016. Among those schools was Kennedy Elementary School in Pierre. Others on the 2016 list were located in Miller, Chamberlain, Aberdeen, Huron, Sioux Falls, Brookings and Valley Springs.