Lincoln County Public School Districts Honored for Efforts to Improve Health
Wellston, OK (February 22, 2019) – Seven Lincoln County Public School Districts were honored on Friday for their efforts to improve health through the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) Healthy Incentive Program for schools.
The incentive grant criteria focus on strengthening district wellness policies to improve school nutrition, increase physical activity, student wellbeing and provide tobacco-free environments for students, staff, faculty and families. These health-promoting practices and policies are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Incentive grant funds must be used for projects or programs to improve health. The districts being recognized for their efforts include:
Agra Public School District was awarded $12,000 and has chosen to use the funds for an Action Based Learning Lab (Equipment/materials/supplies) and training for staff. Agra was previously awarded a $3,000 grant in January 2018, and used the funds for playground improvement.
Carney Public School District was awarded $15,000 and has chosen to use the funds to create a concrete outdoor play area with awning to give students a place to play during inclement weather.
Chandler Public School District was awarded $20,000 and has chosen to use the funds for AED’s, Safe street crossing, Pre-K activity equipment, and protective awning. Chandler was previously awarded a $5,000 grant in May 2017, and used the funds for hydration stations and Ice machine.
Davenport Public School District was awarded $12,000 and has chosen to use the funds for fitness equipment. Davenport was previously awarded a $3,000 grant.
Prague Public School District was awarded $20,000 and has chosen to use the funds for hydration stations, basketball & volleyball systems, Safe Street crossing equipment, a commercial refrigerator, and paint and sealer for an outdoor activity center. Prague was previously awarded a $5,000 grant in 2017 and used those funds to purchase physical activity equipment to also be used in out of school time programs.
Wellston Public School District was awarded $17,000 and has chosen to use the funds to construct a walking trail for student and community use. Wellston was previously awarded a $3,000 grant in 2017 and used those funds to purchase hydration stations.
Whiterock Public School District was awarded $15,000 and has chosen to use the funds to purchase new tables for student use in their cafeteria.
Julie Bisbee, interim executive director and Sharon Howard, TSET healthy incentive program manager for schools, presented a plaque and big checks to the District Superintendents. Senator Jason Smalley, Representative Kevin Wallace and staff from the TSET Healthy Living Program serving Lincoln County were also on hand for the presentation.
“These grants recognize the efforts of school districts and school sites that are actively promoting healthy lifestyles,” said TSET Interim Director Julie Bisbee. “Studies show that active, healthy kids perform better in school and we want to recognize schools that are making the healthy choice the easy choice for students, staff and the community.”
The Lincoln County Health Department/TSET Healthy Living Program works to prevent and reduce tobacco use and obesity by partnering with schools, community organizations, worksites, and local governments to promote healthy choices. Healthy Living Program staff, collaborate with community champions across all sectors and throughout the county in order to make Lincoln County a healthier place to live, learn, work, and play.
TSET was created by a constitutional amendment in 2000 as a long term strategy to improve health and ensure settlement payments from a 1998 multi-state lawsuit against the tobacco industry are used to improve the health of all Oklahomans. The funds are placed in an endowment to ensure a growing funding source for generations to come. Only the earnings from the endowment are used to fund grants and programs.
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The Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) serves as a partner and bridge builder for organizations working towards shaping a healthier future for all Oklahomans. TSET provides leadership at the intersections of health by working across the state, by cultivating innovative and life-changing research, and by working across public and private sectors to develop, support, implement and evaluate creative strategies to take advantage of emerging opportunities to improve the public's health. TSET. Better Lives Through Better Health.