Wayne County Public Schools recognized for efforts to promote healthy lifestyles
By Staff Reports
Published in News on February 3, 2010 1:46 PM
Wayne County Public Schools has been recognized for its efforts promoting healthy lifestyle for students.
During the recent N.C. School Public Relations Association meeting, Wayne County was among 25 districts to receive a blue ribbon award for effective communication. The honor is for its Kids' Page brochure, a collaborative publication with Wayne Memorial Hospital.
The hospital sponsors the publication and absorbs the design and print costs. Public relations staff from the hospital and school district provide content.
The first Kids Page publications was introduced in the fall of 2008. It reaches more than 9,000 K-5 students and is distributed three to four times a year.
It has not only been a valuable educational tool, but a fun and colorful way to encourage the development of healthy bodies and minds, said Ken Derksen, WCPS public information officer.
Hospital administrators have also appreciated the unique partnership with the school system.
"Kids' Page is a creative and effective way to educate young children and their parents about health and wellness," said William Paugh, WMH president and CEO. "It's a great investment in our community."
Since its inception, the publication has addressed a variety of relevant issues, including childhood obesity and the importance of healthy eating habits and physical activity, as well as cold and flu prevention tips, appropriate response to insect bites, online safety tips and even why people get "brain freeze" from eating ice cream too fast.
This is the second recognition for the publication. In 2009, the hospital received a Gold Wallie Award from the Carolinas Health Care Public Relations and Marketing Society.
"We are delighted that our public/community relations department and the Wayne Memorial Hospital public relations department can offer our students this award-winning product," said Dr. Steven Taylor, schools superintendent. "As educators, we recognize that students who maintain healthy lifestyles are better able to perform well in school. We are appreciative of the support from Wayne Memorial Hospital in encouraging students to make healthy choices."