Alva Review-Courier -

OKLAHOMA CITY – Educators from across the state gathered in the heat of the summer to go to school. They spent two days at the annual Healthy Schools Oklahoma's Summer Health Institute. Teachers and administrators engaged with one another as well as various speakers and innovators from across the country regarding the best ways to educate students about living healthy lifestyles and making good choices about nutrition and fitness. Alesa Murrow, physical education teacher at Washington Elementary School, was honored with the Coordinator of the Year by HSOk at the Award's Luncheon. Each year this honor is awarded to one teacher who embraced the program and launched it in her school.

Murrow works hard to bring a variety of resources to her school and create innovative ways to educate her students. Murrow utilizes social media to share the unique ways she is educating her students like the school's tower garden and classroom yoga.

"All of our HSOk schools work hard to make sure our students are learning how to live a healthy and safe lifestyle. The Awards Luncheon is a great way for us to recognize these hard working teachers for their diligence, creativity and commitment to our mission," said Kelley McGuire, HSOk Executive Director. "Alesa Murrow of Washington Elementary has truly adopted the importance of health education throughout the entire school."

Healthy Schools Oklahoma is a 501(c)3 that has been in existence since 1997. The organization, formally known as Schools for Healthy Lifestyles, has worked for the past two decades to spread its mission of promoting and maintaining healthy lifestyles among students, families and educators. Its five focus areas include: physical activity and fitness; nutrition education and awareness; tobacco use prevention; safety and injury prevention; and oral health education. HSOk serves 65 elementary schools across the state and partners with more than 50 public and private health-related organizations to accomplish its mission. Dr. John Bozalis, retired from the Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic, serves as Chairman Emeritus. For questions or more information, please visit http://www.healthyschoolsok.org or contact the HSOk office at 405-606-8435.