News

Contact: Jacquelyn Jans

Bakersfield, CA: Kern Health Systems is proud to announce that $194,500 was awarded to six public schools in Kern County to implement a school-based wellness program for the 2017-2018 school year. The goal of this grant funding was to promote physical activity, healthy eating, and overall wellness among the student population. The schools that were awarded this grant money represent the North and South Kern Communities, the Kern River Valley Community, and the City of Bakersfield……..they are:

• A.M. Thomas Middle School (Lost Hills)
• Buttonwillow School
• East Bakersfield High School
• Fremont Elementary School (Delano)
• Lamont Elementary School
• Woodrow Wallace Middle School (Lake Isabella)

Isabel Silva, Health Education Director at Kern Health Systems said "Each wellness program was developed to address the specific needs of the student population with the support of parents, staff and community partners. We are pleased so many schools embraced the Program's goals and achieved great results".
Activities established include; school gardens, classroom meditation, color runs, healthy cooking lessons, lunch-time walking clubs, family nights, group sports, and much more. The schools used pedometers to track steps and miles walked, BMI data, level of endurance, and participation as part of their evaluation metrics for the success of their programs.

A check presentation for the amount of $35,000 will be given to Fremont Elementary next Friday, October 26, 2018 at 8:30am by CEO, Doug Hayward, of Kern Health Systems. Freemont Elementary is located at: 1318 Clinton Street, Delano, CA 93215.

For more information, please contact: Jacque Jans at 661.332.6025.