FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Karla Denny, KSDE, 785.296.4876
December 4, 2008 kdenny@ksde.org Mike Heideman, KDHE, 785.296.4363
Kansas Coordinated School Health Program Awards Grant
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Coordinated School Health Program has awarded grants for health and wellness programs for the 2008-2009 school year to local schools and school districts. They include: (
see attached file).
“Kids must start early if they are to learn the lessons for leading a healthy life,” said Roderick L. Bremby, Secretary of KDHE. “Kansas Coordinated School Health encourages programs that teach kids how to make healthy choices such as eating right, getting enough exercise and resisting the peer pressure to use tobacco.”
Another focus of KCSH is to encourage schools to strengthen and develop district wellness policies. Dr. Alexa Posny, Kansas Commissioner of Education, noted the new grant program is designed to help schools move their wellness policies forward, with the ultimate goal of enhancing academics.
“Advancing schools through their Wellness Policies should facilitate improved health behaviors for students and staff as well as creating an environment that is more conducive to learning,” stated Posny.
More information about the Kansas Coordinated School Health Program can be found at
www.kshealthykids.org
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