2018-2019 Polk Vision Annual Report PV AR 2019_web | Page 44
Reduce the Obesity rate (BMI<30 in
Polk County to less than the state
average (from 36.9% to 26.4%).
SCHOOL
HEALTH
Establishing healthy behaviors
during childhood is easier and
more effective than trying to
change unhealthy behaviors during
adulthood. Schools play a critical role
in promoting the health and safety
of young people and helping them
establish lifelong healthy behaviors.
(Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention)
Recognizing that public health and
education serve the same children,
there has been a call for greater
alignment between the education
system and health sectors. This
includes an intentional integration
and collaboration of services
aimed at improving each child’s
cognitive, physical, social, and
emotional development. (Association
for Supervision and Curriculum
Development)
In response to this call, the Polk
Vision School Health LEAD Team
began implementation of the Whole
School, Whole Community, Whole
Child (WSCC) framework during year
one of the Healthy Schools pilot.
The pilot was created to address
the alarming rate of overweight and
obese students in Polk County.
Family and community involvement
in schools is important to the
academic achievement, social/
emotional development and overall
health of students. When schools
engage families in meaningful ways,
families in turn can support and
reinforce healthy behaviors at home.
Community agencies and volunteer
groups can provide valuable
resources to enhance student health
and learning outcomes through after
school and organized off-campus
activities.
The coming year will find the
Team with continued emphasis on
increasing physical activity and
improved nutrition. Focus will be
placed on strengthening the pilot
schools’ campus and community
network and implementing strategies
to improve the overall Healthy School
environment. The Team plans to
expand its efforts to include social-
emotional health initiatives at each of
the pilot schools.
DID YOU KNOW?
1 out of every 3 children are
overweight or obese
Only 1 out of every 3 children
are physically active every day
Only 1 in 2 children eat enough
daily fruits and vegetables
(Alliance for a Healthier Generation)
LEFT: A student at Inwood Elementary
having her helmet fitted in preparation
for Bike to School Day.
RIGHT: On April 23, 2019 during a
meeting of the Polk County Public
Schools Board, Wahneta Elementary
was recognized as a Community Health
Champion for providing a healthy school
environment for students and families.
(L to R: Holly Vida, Kim Long, Colette O’Keeffe-
Boggs, Marlene Taveras, Nildalis Caraballo, Lisa
Miller)
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BayCare’s Children’s Wellness and Safety
Center wishes to express its gratitude to
Polk Vision for opening doors for us in the
community and the Polk County School
District. With their assistance we have
made great strides in educating families
on the importance of physical activity and
nutrition. We look forward to continuing
the partnership in an effort to create a
healthier Polk County!
— COLETTE O’KEEFFE-BOGGS, Senior
Children’s Wellness and Safety Specialist,
BayCare - St. Joseph’s Children’s Wellness
and Safety Center
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