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16 School Districts Recognized for Exemplary Commitment to Student Health

TALLAHASSEE — Florida's Coordinated School Health Partnership, the Florida Association of District School Superintendents, Florida Action for Healthy Kids and the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation today recognize 16 school districts as Florida Healthy School Districts for the 2015-2017 school years. These 16 awarded districts join the previously designated 19 for a total of 35 Florida Healthy School Districts.

Through implementation of the Coordinated School Health approach (CSH), these districts demonstrated a high level of commitment toward meeting the health needs of students and staff by maximizing district resources and removing barriers to learning.

“We commend these districts that have consciously and 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 physical, emotional and social health with education.”

The awards are based on criteria from the Florida Healthy School District Self-Assessment tool, including sustainable infrastructure, policy, programs, and practices identified from national and state guidelines, best practices and Florida statutes. Teams that completed the tool reported that the process improved their knowledge of standards, legislation and best practices, and enhanced their ability to maximize resources and eliminate duplication. The assessment was written by school experts, evaluated, piloted and field-tested for three years before being released in 2009.

“This collaborative approach employs the support of families, communities, and schools working together to improve student health and to increase learning capacity,” said Rebecca Matthews, Chief Executive Officer of the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation. “These districts are teaching our state’s children firsthand the optimistic impact that healthy actions can have on an entire community.”

The following school districts were awarded for the 2015 – 2017 school year:

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.

Progress toward achievements is measured based on these percentages:

• Bronze: 50% – 66%
• Silver: 67% – 85%
• Gold: 86% – 100%

For more information about Florida Healthy School Districts, visit www.healthydistrict.com.