LAWTON – Five local schools are the recipients of the recent Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Healthy Incentive Grants.
The grants are designed for school districts and school sites that strive to implement best and promising practices in tobacco-free environments in areas of employee wellness, nutrition and physical activity, according to the endowment website.
In addition, policy requirements for the grants help to create a learning environment that supports healthy behaviors for students, teachers and staff.
“Investing in the health of Oklahoma’s students is an investment in the future of our state,” said Julie Bisbee, TSET executive director. “When schools create environments that support healthy choices, students not only benefit today but build lifelong habits that lead to better health outcomes.
“The TSET Healthy Incentive Grant program empowers local leaders to drive meaningful change, improving both individual and community health. These grants reflect our mission to build a healthier future for Oklahoma by preventing tobacco use and reducing obesity, two of the largest drivers of chronic disease in our state.”
Three Lawton elementary schools each received $3,000 grants: Hugh Bish, Carriage Hills and Cleveland. Eisenhower Elementary received a $4,000 grant and Eisenhower High School received $6,000.
Also in Comanche County, the Comanche Academy Charter School received a $10,000 school district grant from TSET.
Two area counties, Grady and Tillman, also received school district grants. Pioneer Elementary in Grady County and Tipton in Tillman County both received $8,000 grants.
The TSET Board of Directors approved a record number of 42 Healthy Incentive Grants to schools across the state, totaling $349,000, at their March board meeting. It was the largest single round of awards since the program began in 2013, according to a press release.
School grants are designed to fund projects that include exercise and workout equipment, playgrounds, water-filling stations, walking trails, cooking supplies and school gardens. The grant amounts vary due to factors including school enrollment and the types of health-promoting strategies to be implemented.
TSET also offers a similar incentive grant program for communities.