Weyauwega Elementary has been chosen to receive $1,000 to support its Fuel Up to Play 60 initiative.
It was selected from several schools from across the state which applied for funding to help them jump start and sustain healthy nutrition and physical activity improvements.
Wisconsin schools are eligible to receive up to $1,000 to help them increase awareness of and access to nutrient-rich foods and physical activity opportunities for students.
Funding for the competitive program is provided by the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board through Wisconsin’s dairy farmers.
Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by the National Dairy Council and the National Football League, with additional partnership support from the U.S.Department of Agriculture.
The program encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods (low-fat and fat-free dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains) and achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.
Funds for Fuel Up to Play 60 provide support for a variety of activities and tools, such as foodservice materials and taste-testing supplies, nutrition and physical education equipment.
Weyauwega Elementary plans to use the funding to create a community healthy recipe book, expand their mileage club and encourage new foods by holding “Taste Test Days.”
Last year, Aleah Friemark’s second and third-grade classes led and planned Fuel Up to Play 60 activities for the elementary – this year fifth, fourth and third-grade students are working with Friemark and Physical Education Teacher Rich Tomaszewski to lead Fuel Up to Play 60.
More than 70,000 schools across the United States are participating in 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.
“Fuel Up to Play 60 has really taken off in Wisconsin. Wellness champions and students in more than 2,000 schools have embraced the program, and these funds will help many of the participating schools to do even more,” said Laura Wilford, director Wisconsin Dairy Council.
Schools, parents and students can learn more about Fuel Up to Play 60 at www.FuelUptoPlay60.com