South High School in Downers Grove Awarded Blue Ribbon for Health Programs

The Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (IAHPERD) has awarded a blue ribbon in health education to South High School in Downers Grove for 2011-14. The blue ribbon recognizes excellent health programs, reflecting both state and national professional standards as well as those outlined by the Illinois State Board of Education.

Specifically, IAHPERD measures the breadth of a health program’s curriculum offerings, such as education about positive health promotion and maintenance, emotional health, and disease prevention. It also assesses the variety of teaching strategies deployed, the quality of materials and the level of teacher excellence, as measured by certification and professional training.

In its award letter, IAHPERD commends South High for its long-tenured health education staff and innovative teaching programs, including its use of technologies such as blogging and Skype. It also commended South High for its focus on environmental education and relationships with area middle schools.

“We are proud to offer such a wide range of high quality health programs here at South High,” says Teacher Debbie Bruns. “With the support of our community and administrators, we are able to focus our resources to promote the health and well-being of all of our students.”

Bruns also recognizes fellow teachers Lauren Hoel, Vince Garramone and Jon Stapleton as being instrumental in receiving the blue ribbon.

South High will be recognized at the IAHPERD conference on November 17, 2011 at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles. South is the first high school in the state of Illinois to be recognized for three consecutive Blue Ribbon awards for Health Education.  The previous awards were received in 2004 – 2007 and 2008 - 2011.