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Dothan City Schools Raise More Than $18,000 To Help Keep Our Community Heart Healthy

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Two women and a man standing, displaying a certificate, in an office.

DOTHAN, Ala. – Dothan City Schools’ students and staff continuously find ways to make our community a better place to live. Part of that commitment involves a focus on living a healthy lifestyle. Through a strong partnership with the American Heart Association, many of our district schools participated in the Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge this school year. 

These programs offer students and staff an opportunity to learn about resources to support living a healthy lifestyle. The American Heart Association has worked with district students and teachers to better understand physical and emotional well-being. Those resources involve hands-only CPR training, mental well-being, family engagement, healthy eating, teacher well-being, and more.

Many of the district’s elementary schools have engaged with the American Heart Association to focus on whole-body well-being while also raising funds for the non-profit organization. 

Schools participating in the Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge during the 2024-2025 school year include: Beverlye Intermediate, Dothan 6th Grade Center, Faine Elementary, Girard Elementary, Heard Elementary, Hidden Lake Elementary, Highlands Elementary, Kelly Springs Elementary, Morris Slingluff Elementary, and Selma Street Elementary.

Students, families, and staff at these schools raised $18,326.77. That investment in the American Heart Association will prove pivotal to the organization’s mission: to save and improve lives in the Dothan and Houston County area.  $2,500 will be invested back into these district schools.

Dothan City Schools highlights three district schools for raising the most money for the American Heart Association:

  • First Place – Heard Elementary: $7,022.93
  • Second Place – Hidden Lake Elementary: $4,401.35
  • Third Place – Girard Elementary: $3,077.88
Three womne in a hallway displaying a certificate

 

Three woman and one man standing together, with one person displaying a certificate

“It’s so imperative that our students understand the importance of making healthy choices starting at a young age,” said Dr. Dennis Coe, Superintendent of Dothan City Schools. “We are so proud of these DCS students who have raised money in support of the American Heart Association’s mission.  It’s a testament that our students and teachers want to do their part to improve our community’s health through physical and mental well-being, better nutrition, and healthy habits.”

During the school year, more than 3,500 students and families received information to improve their well-being for a healthy lifestyle through AHA while 300 district teachers discovered resources on healthy heart habits. Importantly, the American Heart Association trained 341 students and families on hands-only CPR. 

Dothan City Schools remains involved in a number of heart-healthy related activities that enhances the partnership with the American Heart Association. Blair Peterman, Director of DCS Health Services, has been instrumental in updating automated external defibrillators while promoting hands-on CPR training.

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