Two NECSD Schools Receive Fuel Up to Play 60 Grants
Recently, the Newburgh Enlarged City School District’s Fostertown ETC Magnet School and South Middle School were each the recipient of a $2,000 Fuel Up to Play 60 grant. This year Meadow Hill School has also been the recipient of two Fueld Up to Play grants. Fuel Up to Play 60 is a national initiative aimed to fight childhood obesity by teaching kids the value in taking control of their own health.
South Middle School Nurse Practitioner and Fuel Up to Play 60 Coordinator Nancy Faust explained that the benefits of the grants are immeasurable when aiming to create healthy initiatives for students and schools.
In January 2011, South Middle School was the recipient of the school’s first grant with Fuel Up to Play 60. According to Faust, the grant provided opportunities for students, staff, administrators, families, and the community to work together and create a healthier school environment. In addition, the grant made it possible to create a school garden and afterschool wellness room.
Recently, Faust and other teachers met with students and involved parents to develop a plan for the future utilizing funds from the latest grant which includes a wall mural in the school cafeteria and outlining initiatives to create healthy food choices and a healthy lifestyle for students.
Over at Fostertown ETC Magnet School, the school will be participating in the Walk Across America Challenge, where students in grades K-5 will walk a course accumulating mileage and distance across the U.S. for their grade level. School officials also announced that they will be utilizing a portion of the grant to bring former contestant and winner of NBC's The Biggest Loser, Jim Germanakos, for a speaking engagement to discuss health and fitness during an upcoming family health fair.
In addition, school staff will continue to promote healthy eating, and will reward the students for healthy snacking in the classroom. The classes recording the healthiest snacking will be awarded with Healthy Treats Parties.
“We will also be having a food tasting at Kick Off for the children, where they can taste test various fruits, vegetables, and low fat dairy. The results of the taste test will be shared with the cafeteria for possible consideration for menu additions,” explained Fostertown’s Fuel Up to Play 60 Coordinator Danielle Nelson.
For more information on the Fuel Up to Play 60 initiative please visit
http://www.fueluptoplay60.com.
