12/05/2025
Jay Public Schools has been awarded a $50,000 To***co Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) Healthy Incentive Grant, funding new playground equipment and shade structures for its elementary campus. The grant is part of a statewide investment of more than $300,000 to rural districts, designed to promote healthy environments and lifelong wellness habits for Oklahoma students.
The TSET Healthy Incentive Grant program rewards schools that adopt policies supporting tobaccoâfree environments, healthy food options, increased physical activity, and employee wellness. These steps, according to TSET Executive Director Julie Bisbee, are critical to shaping longâterm health outcomes.
âWhen kids learn healthy habits early, it can help them for the rest of their lives. The Healthy Incentive Grant for Schools gives districts tools that make healthy choices easier. That is a key part of our mission to help Oklahomans live well,â Bisbee said.
For Jay Elementary, the grant means more than new equipmentâit represents an investment in student health, safety, and engagement. Principal Cassie Youngblood explained how the improvements will directly benefit children during recess and physical education.
âThe updated equipment encourages active play, supports the development of gross motor skills, and provides more opportunities for inclusive, collaborative activities,â Youngblood said. âAdditionally, the added shade ensures a safer and more comfortable environment, allowing students to stay active for longer periods while reducing heatârelated risks. Overall, these improvements contribute to a healthier, more engaging, and more enjoyable school day for all students.â
Youngblood noted that the current playground setup has posed challenges, particularly during hot weather. Limited shaded areas often force students indoors, reducing the time they could safely spend outside. The grant will replace outdated equipment and add shaded play spaces, ensuring students can remain active throughout the school day. Read the full story in today's Delaware County Journal.