What is a GMS Power-Up School?
After many successful years in elementary schools the Gold Medal Schools program (GMS) is growing to create a similar health culture for students ages 12-15.  The GMS Power-Up program will teach students to “Eat Smart, Move Smart, and Be Smart”. GMS Power-Up will help schools make policy and environmental changes that support good nutrition, physical activity, and staying tobacco-free by creating a sustainable and healthy school environment for students, teachers, faculty, and staff to enjoy for years to come. Schools can achieve various levels in the program: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Upon completion of each level schools will receive awards including monetary incentives that can be used to purchase physical activity, nutrition, or tobacco prevention resources and equipment. A unique feature to GMS Power-Up is the involvement of students. Each GMS Power-Up school has a Power-Up Committee made up of students who bring awareness of GMS Power-Up criteria to the entire school.

The GMS Power-Up program was developed by the Utah Department of Health using the guidance of the Gold Medal Schools program and the Utah State Office of Education’s Core Curriculum. GMS Power-Up was tested in four Junior High Schools in the 2007-2008 school year and is now open to all Junior High and Middle Schools.

• Write a policy mandating a tobacco-free school and post tobacco-free signs at entrances
• Establish a School Health Council
• Establish a student Power-Up Committee
• Write a policy establishing an ongoing teacher, faculty, and staff wellness program
• Integrate Health and P.E. into a year-long program or facilitate implementation of individualized physical activity/fitness plans for students
• See a list of all criteria

1. Gain support and buy-in from school staff
2. Identify a school coordinator
3. Submit a complete Gold Medal Schools (GMS) Power-Up application
4. Act as a role model for students, teachers, faculty, and staff
5. Oversee implementation of the GMS Power-Up criteria within the school
6. Provide input to your school coordinator, School Health Council, and student Power-Up committee
7. Review and approve GMS Power-Up policies
8. Provide ongoing support to your school coordinator

1. Sign the GMS Power-Up application
2. Review resources to become acquainted with the program: listserv, Web site, GMS Power-Up guide
3. Oversee student Power-Up committee
4. Meet with the School Health Council to:
1. Determine the best way to implement GMS Power-Up criteria in your school
2. Complete assignments given in GMS Power-Up guide
3. Develop the GMS Power-Up policies
4. Implement the GMS Power-Up criteria
5. Develop and complete mid- and end-year reports
5. Provide ongoing information about the program to teachers, faculty, and staff
6. Serve as a role model to your school, students, teachers, faculty, and staff
7. Attend a meeting with the LHD at least three times per year

1. Provide ongoing assistance to the school coordinator
2. Complete assignments given in GMS Power-Up Guide
3. Meet monthly as a committee to discuss GMS Power-Up
4. Create awareness campaigns for student involvement
5. Provide assistance with mid- and end-year reports
6. Make GMS Power-Up fun and enjoyable for the school
7. Student representative attends the School Health Council meetings
8. Serve as a role model to other students

• As you reach each level your school will be awarded a cash prize. Bronze schools receive $200; Silver schools receive $300 and Gold schools receive $500, for a total of $1000.
• The GMS Power-Up Guide is a step-by-step guide to help your school implement the GMS Power-Up program. The guide consists of nine main topics: Criteria Breakdown, School Coordinator Logistics, Power-Up Committee Logistics, Nutrition Resources, Physical Activity Resources, Tobacco-Prevention Resources, Logos and Fonts, Articles, and Newsletters
• The GMS Power-Up Web site provides support and recognition to GMS Power-Up schools. The Power-Up Information page on the Web site is updated every two weeks.
• The Listserv is an e-mail sent to schools from the state health department every two weeks. Messages from this Listserv keep members updated on current GMS Power-Up news.
• A Local Health Department Representative is available for questions and support
• The State Health Department oversees the program statewide and provides resources and trainings to the schools