Read our update about the Zen Den project here.
We want to recognize the commitment from our community partners - Tufts University's Childhood Obesity 180 Center & the Catalyzing Communities study, Sunnyside Unified School District (SUSD), and BeachFleishman - to support the ongoing ZFCPHP efforts to improve health and reduce childhood obesity in the Tucson community.
Between December 2022 and January 2023, a tax credit donation campaign was released in the Arizona Daily Star and Tucson.com, raising over $5,400 to fund Rivera Elementary School's health and wellness initiatives for students and staff, with particular emphasis on pandemic-related stress and anxiety. The funds were allocated to update Rivera's "Zen Den" and creating "calming corners" in each classroom to help students cope with intense feelings, relax, and recharge. Below are the before and after pictures of the Zen Den.
Zen Den: Before Update
Zen Den: After Update
Rivera Elementary teachers painted the room with paint and materials provided by Activate Tucson. BeachFleishman, a local tax firm, and Activate Tucson provided a generous donation to help purchase items from teachers' wish lists. Led by Sabrina Plattner, MEZCOPH MPH students will create a survey to assess Rivera's students' experiences using the Zen Den. In addition, the SUSD District will have a designated health and wellness category for tax donations on their website beginning Fall 2023.
We look forward to continuing to work on the public school tax credit advocacy efforts for the 2023-2024 tax season with BeachFleishman. For questions about the initiative or to get involved, please reach out to Sabrina Plattner, Health Educator Sr. (plattner@arizona.edu).