Back and packed: MDwise gives Parkwood students backpacks with school supplies

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Parkwood Elementary School second-grader Jason Hailstock clutches the new backpack he received Thursday morning at the Clarksville school. All Parkwood students, more than 500, received the backpacks full of school supplies courtesy of MDwise.

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August 10, 2012

Back and packed: MDwise gives Parkwood students backpacks with school supplies

By JEROD CLAPP jerod.clapp@newsandtribune.com The News and Tribune Fri Aug 10, 2012, 01:32 AM EDT

CLARKSVILLE — Their morning assembly included their regular Pledge of Allegiance and moment of silence, but the students also got a little something on their way back to their classes.

Nearly 600 children at Parkwood Elementary School were given backpacks filled with school supplies from MDwise — a nonprofit health care organization in Indiana — as part of its Tools for School program.

Shannon Palmer, an outreach consultant with MDwise, said elementary students still get excited about pencils, crayons and paper, but the program also helps them in class and at home.

“If your kids are happy and prepared, they’re going to do better in school and hopefully excel in their studies,” Palmer said. “A lot of school corporations have had their budgets cut, so we thought it would be good to partner with Parkwood as well.”

Crayons, loose-leaf paper and pencils were included in the backpacks.

Principal Janice Korfhage said though most students probably had the supplies, having some extras at home or a backpack for their own use could come in handy.

“It’s kind of an exciting back to school thing and it helps them know what they need to be successful at school,” Korfhage said. “It kind of helps them realize what tools they need to be successful in their classes.”

Preston Gray, school administrative manager, said the supplies could have other positive effects on students and for the school.

“It’s several less worries,” Gray said. “The kids won’t have to worry about that part of their education. Sometimes, kids miss days because they don’t have the supplies they need, so this might help attendance as well.”

Palmer said MDwise will continue its involvement with the school, hosting parent nights to show them what kind of health care initiatives they can take advantage of and giving students activities for healthy lifestyles and nutrition information.

Andrew Melin, superintendent at Greater Clark County Schools, said district partnerships with organizations with MDwise are important and he hopes they’ll continue to expand.

“Partnerships are so important in our community, so we really appreciate what’s being done for our kids to help them,” Melin said. “It’s a little easier to learn when you’re happy.”