PARIS – SAD 17 has received $70,000 from the Healthy Maine Partnership to strengthen health education in the schools.

The money comes from the landmark federal tobacco settlement and is used in part to fund the salary of the school health coordinator, Jen Fitts.

Fitts works with a School Health Advisory Committee to prevent tobacco use, increase physical activity, increase healthy eating habits and support health education. Last year she held a workshop for teachers to increase physical activity in the classroom.

Healthy Oxford Hills, part of the network of organizations of the Healthy Maine Partnership, worked with Fitts and other community members to complete a walking path at Oxford Hills Middle School. A milk vending machine was added at the middle school, and $100 mini-grants were given to 15 elementary teachers for nutrition education.

Fitts also implemented Tar Wars, a tobacco prevention curriculum, in all fourth grade classes in the district and provided support to staff members who wanted to quit smoking.

Teachers and other school staff also received a monthly staff wellness newsletter, and took part in a pedometer walking program.