School district focusing on community's health

The Campbellsville School District is working to make its students healthier, and now the entire community can get involved, too.
The District will host an Eagles on the Run 5K run/walk on Saturday, May 5. Events begin at Campbellsville Middle School at 8 a.m.
Pre-registration is $10 and can be completed online at www.cville.kyschools.us or by picking up a registration form at Campbellsville High School.

All proceeds collected will go toward completing the District’s Durham Track and Relay for Life. First-, second- and third-place winners will be named in each age category, which includes elementary-school aged children to adults older than 50.
Age categories are fifth- through eighth-grade students, high school freshmen through seniors, and adults ages 18 to 23, 24 to 29, 30 to 35, 36 to 40, 41 to 45, 46 to 50 and 51 and older. A top male and female runner will also be named, along with overall first-, second- and third-place winners.
Elementary-aged children will walk around the Durham Track as part of the event. Prizes will be given to those who complete the most laps. Parents must attend with their children and are welcome to participate themselves.
Runners will start on Roberts Road, turn left, continue on Roberts Road, turn left on Airport Road, turn left on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and end back at Campbellsville Middle School.
Cindy Perkins, director of the District’s after school 21st Century Program, said school officials attended a workshop last fall and got several ideas to promote physical fitness in students and school staff.
“This year, they’re really promoting health and wellness,” she said.
After that workshop, Perkins said, a committee of school and community officials from the Taylor County Health Department, Taylor Regional Hospital and other organizations was formed to discuss ways to do just that in Taylor County.
Perkins said she and the committee worked with Angie Russell, the District’s gifted and talented coordinator and program review coordinator, to plan the 5K run/walk.
The goal of the Eagles on the Run event is to improve the overall wellness of the District’s students, families and staff by providing educational opportunities and activities that emphasize nutrition, character education and physical fitness through a home, school and community partnership.
“The whole purpose is about getting our students, our staff, our community in a healthier state,” Perkins said.
Russell said the committee focused on giving students a leadership and service opportunity while promoting healthy living at the same time.
To that end, Perkins said, the District has hosted events in February, March and April to promote healthy eating and physical activity.
In February, students were given smoothies and taught how to keep their hearts healthy. March was “Green is Great” month and students were taught the importance of eating green vegetables. April is “Sock it to Sugar” month and students are receiving information about diabetes.
Physical education teachers in the District have also worked to get students in better physical shape, Perkins said, and several walking groups were formed.
Russell said some physical education teachers have used video dance games to get students involved and moving. She said the District’s cafeteria staffs have also been involved by showing students the “green” items in their lunches.
She said there have also been some cooking on a budget classes to tell students that they can be on a budget and eat meals other than those that come in a box.
“The kids just need healthy foods on a budget,” she said.
Russell said the District is known for its Eagle Family Nights with activities for the entire family and wanted to continue that concept for the 5K run/walk by opening the event to anyone who wants to participate. She said the hope is that the 5K run/walk will become an annual event.
Perkins said the committee wanted proceeds from the event to go toward the final work on the Durham Track, but also go toward a community cause.
“We were just trying to relate it to something healthy,” she said.
Perkins says the 5K walk/run is just the kickoff of the District’s campaign to get the community healthier.
“We feel like this is a good way to get started,” she said. “We just want to get something started.”
Perkins said the committee has sent letters asking for participants and many of the District’s students and sports teams will be participating.
“We are hoping for a good turnout,” she said.
For more information call 465-8774.