In October of 2020, the Help Hazelwood Get Healthy Committee was formed with the goal of creating a public health campaign to combat the spread of COVID-19. At the time, all HSD students were attending school 100% virtually and COVID-19 infection rates were climbing throughout North St. Louis County. The committee determined that the foundation of the campaign would be to encourage people to wear masks, wash their hands and practice social distancing.

Staff distributed more than 5,000 Help Hazelwood Get Healthy kits to district families during a drive-thru campaign kick-off event. The kits included masks, thermometers, hand sanitizer, and a pamphlet with information about COVID-19 symptoms and testing.

Help Hazelwood Get Healthy Advertisement, Branding

Advertising and branding have played key roles throughout the campaign. A series of advertisements that feature the campaign logo and encourage people to wear masks, wash their hands, and practice social distancing have appeared in the St. Louis American and Community News periodicals. Additionally, billboards that share the same message were secured along Interstate 270 in North County. The committee also created Help Hazelwood Get Healthy masks and distributed them to community members. Finally, compelling radio advertisements that include a challenge for all North County residents to get involved with the campaign have aired on Radio One.

Help Hazelwood Get Healthy Contest

In December of 2020, the district held a Help Hazelwood Get Healthy contest to keep the community engaged. Students and employees created posters, poems, and videos inspired by the campaign, which encourages people to wear masks, wash their hands, and practice social distancing. Thanks to HNEA and Industrial Soap Company five employees and 25 students who submitted entries received a $50 gift card. Additionally, the posters, poems, and videos are periodically shared on district social media pages.

Students from East, Central & West high schools are the stars of the Help Hazelwood Get Healthy PSA video aimed at fighting COVID-19. 

Help Hazelwood Get Healthy Informational Pamphlet

To continue the efforts to reach beyond students, staff and parents, a Help Hazelwood Get Healthy Informational Pamphlet was mailed directly to the homes of everyone who lives within the HSD boundaries. The pamphlet includes a challenge for everyone to wear masks, wash their hands, and practice social distancing.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

In February of 2021, the committee began to add COVID-19 vaccine education to the campaign. The first step was to create a vaccine webpage dedicated to providing facts about the vaccine. The webpage was shared through multiple district communication channels, including social media and an email blast.

Why I Got the COVID-19 Vaccine

HSD employees share why they received the COVID-19 vaccine in the social media series Why I Got the COVID-19 Vaccine.

To inform and educate the HSD community on the COVID-19 vaccine, the district filmed an in-depth interview about the vaccine with Washington University School of Medicine’s Dr. Matifadza Hlatshwayo Davis. Dr. Davis, who is an infectious disease physician, has been featured on major news outlets, including CNN and BBC. Prior to the interview, the committee solicited potential questions for the interview from the community. Please view the COVID-19 Q & A Session below.

HSD COVID-19 Vaccine Events

The district partnered with the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and the Missouri National Guard to host COVID-19 vaccination events for HSD teachers, support staff, and program partners over Spring Break (March 22-26, 2021). More than 700 individuals received the COVID-19 vaccine. 

As students return to in-person school, the Help Hazelwood Get Healthy campaign will continue to play a major role in HSD.