GILMER/UPSHUR COUNTY (KYTX) - A 2012 Award for Excellence in Texas School Health –Reaching for Excellence Award, for districts or schools that are implementing a current or planning for a new program to improve the lifelong health of students, staff and the school community was awarded to Gilmer High School on Monday. Hillary Harris, RN, BSN is the Program Coordinator for the program entitled Beats for Buckeyes, and Greg Watson is the principal of Gilmer High School.
Beats for Buckeyes is a program aimed at teaching students at Gilmer High School to recognize symptoms of cardiac arrest, and respond appropriately by performing CPR. The ultimate goal is for these students to carry this information with them to college and into the community so they can help save lives.
This annual, state-wide program, celebrating its 23nd year, is sponsored by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), School Health Program and funded by the Texas Health Institute (THI) and the Texas Pediatric Society Foundation (TPSF).
This year THI is providing seed money for four schools or districts seeking to implement successful school health programs and initiatives currently in the planning stage and projected to start up during the 2013-2014 school year. THI also will present three awards to schools or districts that have had a successful program in place during the 2011-2012 school year, and one award to schools or districts that have won an Award for Excellence in the past. TPSF is funding three awards for programs successful in reducing obesity in adolescents.
Cash awards totaling $13,300 will be presented to 11 districts and schools throughout Texas for implementing or planning successful programs during the 2011-2012 school year at an Awards Ceremony on January 25, 2013 in San Marcos.
The 2013 Awards for Excellence in Texas School Health applications will be available April 1, 2013. Visit the school Health Program's Awards for Excellence Web site at www.dshs.state.tx.us/schoolhealth/awards.shtm to find out more about the program.
