| 06/11/2001 | Community Health Group Awards School Children BicyclesNinety students from the Otay Accelerated School in Chula Vista were honored with prizes June 1 for their perfect attendance during the 2000-2001 school year. Six of those students won new bicycles and safety gear from Community Health Group during a special drawing emphasizing the importance of school attendance.
"What are we raffling off today, students?" asked Otay School Principal Ruben Castaneda to kick off the morning event, which was held outside on the school's playground.
"Bikes!" answered more than 600 Otay students, who ranged from kindergartners to sixth-graders.
Castaneda welcomed students, teachers, parents, family members, Community Health Group representatives and others to the annual event, which was initiated during the 1998-1999 school year. Three years ago, Community Health Group "adopted" the school and began providing programs to support its overall educational objectives.
"The perfect attendance program just keeps getting better every year," said Castaneda. "It has made a difference. Last year we had 87 students with perfect attendance; this year we have 90. Over the years we have progressed from being next to last in the school district regarding attendance to eleventh out of 37 other schools. We've achieve this with the help of the Parent-Teacher Association, the students' parents, and Community Health Group."
"This program is a great way to celebrate good health," said Martha Jazo-Bajet, Community and Preventive Health Services Manager for Community Health Group. "After all, good health means good attendance for these youngsters, and that translates into a better education in the long run."
Each of the 90 students with perfect attendance was called to the podium during the event to receive a tote bag filled with coupons from Aztec Bowl, Brunswick Premier Lanes, Fun 4 All, and McDonald's Restaurants, as well as a pencil pouch provided by the Chula Vista Elementary School District and a bicycle safety book from Community Health Group. In addition, the costumed character H. T. Bee gave the students certificates courtesy of HomeTown Buffet.
For the bike drawing, one perfect attendee from each of the six grades (Otay has a combined fifth and sixth grade) was awarded a Toys R Us voucher for a new bike courtesy of Community Health Group. Winners K-6 included Nero Aaron, Ruth Rodriguez, Roberto Pedroza, Melanie Dillard, Karolina Ybarra, and Yvette Leiva.
A special award was presented to Christopher Kryjewski, who achieved perfect attendance every year from kindergarten through sixth grade.
"Seeing Christopher up there brought tears to my eyes," said Dianna Kryjewski, the boy's mother. "My husband, Marc, and I strongly believe that parents need to support these schools and become involved in helping them succeed at educating our children. We try to help out in every way we can. Together with companies like Community Health Group, we can make a difference."
For further information, please contact Inez Gonzalez, Public Relations & Communications Manager, 619-498-6539, IGonza@chgsd.com, or Martha Jazo-Bajet, Community and Preventive Health Services Manager, 619-498-6430, MJazo@chgsd.com, both for Community Health Group. |
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