FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2015
CONTACT: Zoe Linafelt
Sachs Media Group
(850) 222-?1996
[email protected]
HAMILTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS NAMED FLORIDA HEALTHY SCHOOL DISTRICT
~Hamilton County Public Schools Recognized For Exemplary Commitment to Student Health~
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—The Hamilton County Public School District has been awarded the title of Florida Healthy School District by Florida's Coordinated School Health Partnership, the Florida Association of District School Superintendents, Florida Action for Healthy Kids and the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation. The award for the 2015-?2017 school years recognizes school districts for their efforts in areas of student health,i ncluding sustainable infrastructure, policy, programs and practices identified from national and state guidelines, best practices and Florida statutes. Hamilton County, which received a Silver level award, is one of 16 districts to be designated this year.
Through implementation of the Coordinated School Health approach (CSH), the Hamilton County Public Schools district demonstrated a high level of commitment toward meeting the health needs of students and staff by maximizing district resourcesand supporting academicachievement.
“The health of our students is always the top priority in Hamilton,” said Hamilton County Superintendent Tom Moffses. “Health is a critical factor in helping children achieve their goals academically, socially and physically. While we’ve seen the rewards of our efforts in the classroom already, it is an honor to be recognized on a statewide scale.”
The award is based on criteria from the Florida Healthy School District Self-?Assessment tool, which was developed by the Florida Coordinated School Health Partnership out of a desire to recognize and celebrate the hard work and success of school districts related to physical, mental and social health of students and staff. Hamilton County scored commendably in several areas, including Family and Community Involvement, Healthy School Environment and Physical Education.
“We commend these districts that have strategically fostered healthy teaching and learning environments for our state’s students and teachers,” said Melodie Griffin, State Coordinator for Florida Action for Healthy Kids. “The recipients of these awards embody the Coordinated School Health model by successfully connecting health with education.”
The Florida Coordinated School Health Partnership, Florida Action for Healthy Kids, Florida Association of District School Superintendents and the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation together award these designations for a two-?year period. Districts are encouraged to apply every year until they reach the Gold level. The application opens each January and closes April 15.
For more information about Florida Healthy School Districts, visit www.healthydistrict.com.
###