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) 43 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 44