MONTGOMERY, AL - The Boaz City School System is investing almost $1 million ($975,231) in the health and well-being of its 2,224 students. Boaz is 1 of only 73 grantees in the nation to win a Carol M. White Physical Education Program grant from the U.S. Department of Education (USDE). The three-year grant (Year 1 - $461,096; Year 2 - $267,639; Year 3 - $246,496) will give more children access to physical education programs and instruction on healthy eating and good nutrition.
The USDE is awarding grants totaling $26.5 million to help make children healthier and more active. The Carol M. White Physical Education Program grants will provide 73 public schools and community-based organizations in 25 states with funds to initiate, expand, and improve physical education programs for students in Grades K-12.
The Boaz City School System will use its grant award to hire a program director, furnish wellness centers at the high school and middle school, incorporate age-appropriate activities into the elementary schools’ curriculum, and implement two K-12 programs: REACH -Radical Expectations for Activity and Cardiovascular Health and HOOP - Healthy Options for Obesity Prevention.
Superintendent Leland Dishman joked, “If they’d had programs like this when I was young, I wouldn’t look like I do now.”
Dr. Randall Haney, assistant superintendent, said, “We developed REACH and HOOP based on CDC facts about obesity and by surveying our own students.”
According to Jeana Ross, the program developer and grant writer, their survey found that:
· Only 26 percent of students would choose a physical activity if given a choice.
· 35 percent watch three hours of TV per day and 19 percent watch four or more hours.
· 33 percent drink milk less than 3 times per week.
· 51 percent don’t eat fruit and 84 percent don’t eat salads or vegetables.
· 45 percent drink soda every day and 22 percent drink three or more sodas per day.
“We also have a high poverty rate in this area: 52.38 percent of our students receive free/reduced lunches,” continued Ross. “We think this different in-school approach will appeal to all kids – even if they aren’t sports stars.”
“Physical activity and healthy eating habits are as important as studying hard in school,” U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said. “The Department of Education will be doing more to make this connection to students and adults, and to educate our children in ways that can maintain good health.”
Carol M. White Physical Education Program grants can be used to provide equipment and support for students to participate actively in physical education activities, as well as for staff and teacher training and education.
Since the program began in 2001, the USDE has awarded approximately $555 million in grants. For more information, contact USDE: Jo Ann Webb, 202-401-1576, or Carlette Huntley, 202-245-7871.
###