By Jim Misunas
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
STERLING — Several Barton County educators are scheduled to attend a Regional Centers for Disease Control HECAT/PECAT training Wednesday and Thursday at Sterling College.
National trainers Aaron Beighle from the University of Kentucky and Jess Lawrence from Portland, Ore., will provide valuable information Wednesday and Thursday. The national assessment training manuals and the expenses for the national trainers was paid by a federal CDC D-Training grant. 
The trainers provide an evaluation system on how to better organize physical education and health classes. Tips on developing better wellness practices and healthy and wellness assessment training are offered.
The training is geared for health and physical education teachers in kindergarten to grade 12. Normally, physical education and health teachers must go to eastern Kansas or out of state to get this training.
“They want to promote life-long health and wellness practices,” said Clelia McCrory, Essdack grant specialist, who coordinated the training. “It is really nice to offer this in central Kansas.”
Attending from Barton County are David Ingham, Gary Bittner and Pat Stiles or Joan Klug from Central Plains USD 112; and Tim Schremmer, Dan Schmidt and Tina Johnson from Hoisington USD 431.
Attending from Rice County are Susan Brown and Jill Rowland from Sterling; Jason Briar and Craig Schneider from Chase USD 401; Cheryl Engelland, Communities in Schools of Rice County; and Mary Higgins, Tom Moore, Matt Sandbo and Brian Friess from Lyons USD 405. Toby Brokes of Wilson is also attending.