The Howard County Health Department recently honored 10 county schools for their efforts to promote health in the areas of physical activity, nutrition, mental health, safety and environmental health.

Physical Activity

* Gorman Crossing Elementary School, for a family fitness program including monthly 30-minute exercise sessions

* Wilde Lake Middle School, for intramural programs including a girls' running club, volleyball, lacrosse, step team, hip-hop dance team and wilderness club aimed at building self-esteem and a sense of unity among participants

Nutrition

* Centennial Lane Elementary School, for a pilot program that introduced healthful snacks to lunchtime offerings

* Elkridge Landing Middle School, for a nutritional health program that incorporated food labs, instruction on properly reading nutritional food labels, and instruction on using the food pyramid to guide healthy eating choices

Mental Health

* St. John's Lane Elementary School, for the "Mind and Muscles" program through which students recorded their physical activity and mental activity (reading) on a calendar over six months, and were rewarded with prizes and participation in special events for meeting goals

* Hammond Middle School, for its use of the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support program, which rewards students who meet program standards; and for creating several clubs and programs promoting mental health such as the Viking Club, Check In/Check Out program and the SisBro program.

Safety

* Lisbon Elementary School, for its "Students for Safe Schools" initiative aimed at reducing bullying and improving students' self-esteem.

* Harper's Choice Middle School, for a mentoring program that pairs high school students with middle school students to foster development of productive work habits; and a "Dress for Success" program urging students to dress in business causal clothing to promote self-esteem and pride.

Environmental Health

* West Friendship Elementary School, for a "Waste-Free Lunches Challenge" in which students and their families aimed to cut down on lunchtime trash each Wednesday.

* Glenwood Middle School, for a program aimed at reducing trash and encouraging recycling, promoted through a student-created advertising and education campaign

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