Pillager School is one of four Cass Cty schools participating in the Statewide Health Improvement Program of Cass Cty in mini-grant funding for 2010.

SHIP funding is provided by the MN Department of Health as part of Health Care Reform and was granted to Cass Cty to work with communities, schools, worksites and health care facilities to promote policy, system and environmental change to reduce obesity and tobacco use.

Other participating Cass Cty schools include Walker/Akeley/Hackensack, Northland-Remer and Pine River/Backus.

Schools submitted grant applications April 23 and awards were granted on May 1, for the first phase of the grant process.

Schools will be eligible to apply for a second round of funding for specific implementation plan. Participating schools are currently assessing their policies, systems and environments to determine strengths and weaknesses in regard to physical activity and nutrition in the schools.

Over the course of the summer, Cass Cty SHIP will also help schools to develop an action plan for improving student health. Once this is in place, schools will begin implementation of their new policies, systems and environmental changes tentatively by Nov. 1, 2010. Evaluation of the changes will begin by May 1, 2011.

Wellness Committees at participating schools hope to engage teachers, parents, students and their community in creating a healthier school environment by promoting health-enhancing policies and practices.