Obesity Summit to reveal fitness maps
Business and community leaders convene at the Performing Arts Center Thursday, May 10 for an Obesity Summit focused on the health of students in Hays CISD. As part of the meeting, Children’s Optimal Health will reveal the results of a months-long endeavor to map childhood obesity problem spots in the community. Speakers will include Dr. Stephen Pont, Medical Director for the Texas Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity, Dell Children’s Medical Center; CATCH Program Director Peter Cribb, and Hays CISD Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Lyon. After the maps and presentations, summit participants will engage in a working session to discuss the problems, partnership opportunities, and ways to decrease childhood obesity for students in Hays CISD.
Texas featured in documentary about childhood obesity
An HBO documentary, “The Weight of the Nation,” a four-part series about obesity, airs on HBO.com beginning at 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 14. The final two episodes are the following night. It features doctors, public health experts, professors, policymakers and families with obese children. Parts of the third film in the series, “Children in Crisis,” were filmed in Texas and feature Comptroller Susan Combs and scenes from gym classes at Round Rock schools. Texas was in the spotlight as an example of the 45 states that do not require K-12 physical education. Hays CISD offers daily recess and two physical education classes per week. In addition, many schools participate in Marathon Kids, with a goal of walking 26 miles over a four-month period. The documentary, shown at www.hbo.com, is free to viewers.
School board recognizes Adopt-a-Senior partners
The HCISD Board of Trustees recognized two community partners at their April meeting who made a difference for graduating seniors who are homeless or living in a transitional setting. Herff Jones donated caps and gowns as well as personalized graduation announcements. Members of the Austin New Church adopted 17 graduating seniors, providing yearbooks, dorm room deposits, immunizations, clothes and prom tickets.
Teacher grant application due May 23
A+ Education Foundation, a nonprofit founded in 2005 by A+ Federal Credit Union, funds grants up to $1,000 for Central Texas educators to help full-time PreK-12th-grade teachers reach their educational goals. Grants can be used to fund equipment, supplies, materials, training, and new or continuing programs. Grant applications must be postmarked by Wednesday, May 23. Visit aplusfcu.org/grants for more information.
