News
West Noble school receives NFL grant
11/21/2011
Author: Bob Buttgen
Published by: The Nesw Sun
A succesful program that encourages students at West Noble Primary School to eat healthy foods and be active every day has received another sizeable grant from the National Dairy Council and the National Football League.
The "Fuel Up to Play 60" program is pushed by the two groups and encourages young people to play at least an hour a day and also consume healthier foods, said Sharon Rohrer, a teaching assistant who helps manage the program at the school.
At West Noble Primary School (WNP), teachers, staff members administrators have been working with students for the past three years to reach those same goals.
An ambitious walking and running program at the school uses rewards and incentives to help students - and staff members - keep track of their walking progress on a daily basis. They walk before and after school and lunch, as well as at recess.
The students are recognized for their good behavior, with everything from necklace trinklets to new gym shoes.
Last week, the school received a $2,500 check from the Fuel Up program to help pay for prizes given to students.
When a WNP student or staff member walks 50 miles, they earn a T-shirt. When they reach 100, they get a sweatshirt. At the 150-mile mark, new gym shoes are given out. There are smaller tokens earned for every 5 or 10 miles recorded, and the kids wear them on their necklaces to help keep track of their progress.
Also as part of this program, students are offered healthy snacks several times a month, and the daily walking program is encouraged for everyone at WNP. Information is sent home with students to encourage parents, siblings and others to take part and stay healthy, Rohrer said.
Over the years, hundreds of students have participated in the program and received rewards.
The Fuel Up to Play 60 program has been in existence for several years. It is sponsored by the NFL and the dairy council. Those groups awards many grants throughout the United States.
"We just apply and list the exact steps we will take to increase healthy eating and increase physical activity with our students," said Denise Hershman, school nurse. "We will use the money to help provide the healthy snacks and foods we taste test."
The application window for Fuel Up to Play is available several times a year, and more details are available on its website, fueluptoplay60.com Back to Top