Deerfield Schools Receives $20,000.00 Grant
The Department of Public Instruction, in partnership with the Department of Health Services and University of Wisconsin Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, created the Wisconsin Active Schools Project. This project is part of the “Communities Putting Prevention to Work” which is an initiative funded under President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Pam Klein and Beka Johnson wrote for the grant in the spring of 2010 and found out that Deerfield would be receiving this grant in May. As part of the grant requirement, Pam and Beka traveled to the UW-Stevens Point Campus and attended the Department of Public Instruction Best Practices conference in July. During the 3-Day conference, Pam and Beka received training in YRBS (Youth Risk Behavior Survey) results and social norm lesson ideas, SPARK fitness circuits, 21st Century Instruction on Racquet Sports, and grant implementation procedures.
The Active Schools Project is part of the state’s plan to support public health efforts to reduce obesity, increase physical activity, and improve nutrition among children. As a funded school, Deerfield will focus on increasing active time in physical education class, assess student fitness levels, open facilities before and after school for physical activity, and increase activity in after school programs.
The primary focus of the grant will be geared toward students in 7th – 12th grade. With new equipment and pedometers, Deerfield students will have the opportunity to increase there activity level during physical education class as well as monitor their fitness levels. In addition, Deerfield can look forward to seeing the following programs and events offered over the next two years outside of the school day: NFL Play 60, Bi-monthly Family Fitness Nights, early release fitness classes, Livestrong Cancer Awareness Night, 100 Days of Health, Deerfield’s Kids on the Run, and more.
Deerfield Schools will also be teaming up with the YMCA of Dane County and will be working together to provide additional ways to help young people achieve 60 minutes of daily activity.
