County recognized with healthy school district award

Superintendent Joseph Joyner, Ed.D., reported to local Historic City News journalists that, based on 140 indicators, the St Johns County School District was determined to be a leader in the state for maintaining practices and policies that foster a healthy environment.

The Florida Healthy School District awards have been bestowed by the Florida Coordinated School Health Partnership, Florida Action for Healthy Kids, and the Florida Association of District School Superintendents, since 2009.

“We scored highest in the areas of Counseling, Psychological and Social Services, Healthy School Environment, Employee Wellness, and Family and Community Involvement,” Joyner told reporters. “Out of the 67 Florida school districts, we are one of only seven that was awarded the Silver or Gold level this year.”

St Johns County School District has been awarded the “Silver” level for a two-year period; however, the district will be eligible to apply for Gold level status next year.

The evaluation process involved gathering information from schools and communities across the district over a two-month period. School districts were evaluated using the Florida Healthy School District Self-Assessment Tool to identify those districts that maintain a healthy environment for students, employees and the community.

Scores are given based on eight areas of assessment criteria:
Health Education, Physical Education, Health Services, Nutrition Services and Education, Psychological and Social Counseling, Healthy School Environment, Employee Wellness and Family and Community Involvement.