SELF School (Special Education Learning Facility) has been chosen to receive $2000 to support its Fuel Up to Play 60 initiative, the Dairy and Nutrition Council of Indiana announced. SELF School was selected from among hundreds of schools aross the country that applied for funding to help them jumpstart and sustain healthy nutrition and physical activity improvements. This nationwide program offers schools funding to help them increase awareness of and access to nutrient-rich foods and physical activity opportunities for students. Funding for this competitive program is provided by the Dairy and Nutrition Council and Indiana's dairy farmers.
Funds for Fuel Up to Play 60 provides support for a variety of activities and tools, such as foodservice materials and equipment, nutrition and physical education materials, student and staff incentives, staff development and overall Fuel Up to Play 60 implementation.
Sandy Bodnar, Assistant Director and Principal, is the program advisor at SELF School, working with middle and high school student advisors who are helping plan healthy menus and snacks along with ways to increase physical activities for all students. They have used their funds in a variety of ways, including purchasing new food service and physical activity equipment, prizes for fitness events along with new food to try during breakfast, lunch and for snacks. A sound system for the gym, where most physical activities are done, allows the students to enjoy music as they go about increasing their physical activity levels.
More than 60,000 schools across the United States are participating in Fuel Up to Play 60. Launched by National Dairy Council, local Dairy Councils and National Football League (NFL), in collaboration with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the program encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods and achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Multiple health organizations and several major corporations are also supporting Fuel Up to Play 60, now in its second year.
"Fuel Up to Play 60 has really taken off in Indiana. Wellness champions and students in more than 1500 schools state-wide have embraced the program, and these funds will help many of the participating schools to do even more," said DeDe Hausmann, Dairy and Nutrition Coucil representative. "SELF is a unique school in that it's students, ages 3-22, all have special needs so careful planning by the student advisors and the lead advisor have been established to fit the needs of all students. The funds will help bring the school together as a whole, not leaving anyone out due to physical limitations or special nutrition needs."
"There's not much 3-22 year olds have in common, but they can kick a football, they can exercise and improve their physical activity levels and that's how we can improve as a community," said Bodnar.
Schools, parents and students can learn more about Fuel Up to Play 60 at FuelUpToPlay60.com.
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About Fuel Up to Play 60
Fuel Up to Play 60 is designed to engage and empower youth to take action for their own health by implementing long-term, positive changes for themselves and their schools. Customizable and non-prescriptive program components are grounded in research and include tools and resources, in-school promotional materials, a website, youth challenges and rewards and funding opportunities. The program is designed to help prevent childhood obesity and help youth develop life-long healthy eating and daily physical activity habits. As part of the program, student teams work with adult leaders in each school to make kid-appealing, good-tasting, nutrient-rich foods more available. They also create opportunities for daily physical activity, such as noon walking clubs and after-school sports and dance clubs. Fuel Up to Play 60 encourages kids to get involved and make changes that will help make their schools healthier places. The program reaches youth directly and engages their help in leading and inspiring their friends. The United States Department of Agriculture, NFL and National Dairy Council are partners in the program, and it is further supported by several healthy and nutrition organizations: Action for Healthy Kids, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Dietetic Association, National Hispanic Medical Association, National Medical Association and School Nutrition Association. Visit FuelUpToPlay60.com to learn more.
About National Dairy Council
National Dairy Council (NDC) is the nutrition research, education and communications arm of Dairy Management Inc. On behalf of U.S. dairy farmers, NDC provides science-based nutrition information to, and in collaboration with, a variety of stakeholders committed to fostering a healthier society, including health professionals, educators, school nutrition directors, academia, industry, consumers and media. Established in 1915, NDC is dedicated to educating the public on the healthy benefits of consuming milk and milk products throughout a person's lifespan. Fore more information, visit www.nationaldairycouncil.org.
About NFL PLAY 60
Designed to help tackle childhood obesity, NFL PLAY 60 brings together the NFL's long-standing commitment to health and fitness with partner organizations like he National Dairy Council. NFL's PLAY 60 is also implemented locally, as part of the NFL's in-school, after-school and team-based programs. For more information, visit www.NFLRush.com.