A national initiative spearheaded by first lady Michelle Obama to promote physical education in the nation’s schools has recognized four city schools for encouraging physical activity.

Obama’s Let’s Move! Active Schools recognized School 5, School 8, School of Government and Public Administration at Eastside High School, and the School of Information Technology at Eastside High School as active schools.

The four schools, among 41 which were recognized in New Jersey, received Bronze National Recognition Awards for the 2013-14 school year, according to a press release issued by the initiative.

“We know that incorporating physical activity into the school day sets kids up for success both in school and in life,” said the first lady in a release issued on Wednesday, “so I commend the extraordinary work of these schools, especially the physical educators, principals, district leaders, parents and students, that have championed an Active School environment.”

The initiative’s website states that it encourages schools to integrate at least an hour of physical activity into a student’s daily school time. The winning schools presumably have an one-hour physical activity regiment in place for students.

The 60-minute activity prescription comes from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guideline which cites the United States Department of Health and Human Services to suggest youths between the age of 6-17 get at least an hour of daily activity.

Before awarding a recognition the initiative ranks a school in five benchmark areas: physical education, physical activity before and after school; physical activity during school, staff involvement, and family and community engagement.

Each of the four schools will receive a banner, certificate for being an active school, and a congratulatory letter from the first lady.

“These schools are paving the way to a new America – one where being active is the norm,” stated Obama.