The Help Hazelwood Get Healthy public health campaign is aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19. The foundation of the campaign is to encourage people to wear masks, wash their hands, and practice social distancing. COVID-19 testing and vaccination information and resources are also provided through the campaign. 

Investing in the health of our learning community will greatly assist our efforts to have a successful school year. To Help Hazelwood Get Healthy, the district is asking each stakeholder to do the following:

Students

• Do not enter an HSD school bus or building if sick or displaying COVID-19 symptoms
• Embrace HSD COVID-19 mitigation strategies
• If eligible, get the COVID-19 vaccine
• Get tested if they are displaying COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to the virus
• If a student tests positive for COVID-19, contact the school immediately
• Recognize that COVID-19 is the enemy. Not district employees, medical professionals, students, parents, or neighbors

Parents

• If eligible, get the COVID-19 vaccine
• Embrace HSD COVID-19 mitigation strategies
• Contact the school immediately if your student tests positive for COVID-19
• Recognize that COVID-19 is the enemy. Not district employees, medical professionals, students, parents, or neighbors

District Employees

• Do not enter an HSD school bus or building if sick or displaying COVID-19 symptoms
• Embrace HSD COVID-19 mitigation strategies
• Get tested if exposed to the virus or displaying COVID-19 symptoms
• Contact school/supervisor immediately if they test positive for COVID-19

Community

• If eligible, get the COVID-19 vaccine
• Embrace COVID-19 mitigation strategies
• Recognize that COVID-19 is the enemy. Not district employees, medical professionals, students, parents, or neighbors

Help Hazelwood Get Healthy Campaign Elements

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. 

Help Hazelwood Get Healthy Spring Contest

HSD held the Help Hazelwood Get Healthy Spring Contest to recognize students who practice and preach COVID-19 mitigation strategies. The contest winners received a Help Hazelwood Get Healthy gift bag. Thank you to the entire HSD community for supporting this award-winning and life changing campaign.

COVID-19 Vaccine Fact vs Fiction

To further educate the HSD learning community on the COVID-19 vaccine, the district created a COVID-19 Vaccine Fact vs. Fiction social media series and posters for school buildings.