Sequoyah County Schools Receive TSET Awards

Brushy Public School received a $13,500 grant from the TSET Healthy Incentive Program for Schools. Pictured are, from left, Kim Netz, Heather Silva, Sharon Howard, Shannon Edwards, Brushy Superintendentl Greg Reynolds and Lindsie Dyer. 

Moffett Public School received a $13,500 grant from the TSET Healthy Incentive Program for Schools. Pictured are, from left, Kim Netz, Heather Silva, Sharon Howard, Shannon Edwards, Moffett Principal Lance Stuart and Lindsie Dyer.

Two Sequoyah County Public School districts were honored recently for their efforts to improve health through the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) Healthy Incentive Program for Schools.

Brushy Public Schools received a $13,500 grant and are using the funds to purchase an automatic external defibrillator (AED), health assessment equipment, CPR equipment, PE and playground equipment, nutrition newsletter for parents, and staff training on integrating physical activity.

Moffett Public Schools also received a $13,500 and are using the funds to purchase an automated external defibrillator (AED), CPR equipment, health assessment equipment, PE and playground equipment, archery equipment, staff development training, nutrition education items and parent education.

Sharon Howard, TSET healthy incentive program manager for schools, as well as Shannon Edwards, school nurse for both Brushy and Moffett schools, and representatives from the TSET Healthy Living Program serving Sequoyah County, including Program Director Lindsie Dyer, Wellness Coordinator Heather Silva, and Program Coordinator Kim Netz – were on hand for the presentation. The Sequoyah County grantee is People, Inc.

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.

“These grants recognize the efforts of school districts and school sites that are actively promoting healthy lifestyles,” said TSET Executive 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.”

Funds for the TSET Healthy Incentive Program are limited and all available funds have been exhausted for this fiscal year. Grant applications will not be accepted for the remainder of this fiscal year, which ends June 30. The grant program is expected to re-open for the next fiscal year.

The TSET Board of Directors has awarded grants to 54 school districts and school sites and 33 communities. Over $1.9 million in grants have been provided to promote partnerships at the local level to improve health and promote healthy behaviors in schools and communities.

Pam Cloud, Managing News Director

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