FROM STAFF REPORTS

Pelham Oaks Elementary School was recently announced as the recipient of a $4,500 grant from the American Heart Association that will be used to purchase new physical education equipment.

The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, marks 40 years of bringing heart healthy programs to schools across the country by awarding financial grants to invest in America’s schools and help educators make whole-body wellness a priority.

The American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge awarded more than $400,000 to more than 170 elementary schools who participated in the program’s inaugural year during the 2018-2019 school year. The Kids Heart Challenge offers four physical activities to get students’ hearts pumping: jumping rope, practicing basketball skills, dancing or completing an obstacle course. The curriculum prepares kids for success by supporting their physical and emotional well-being, offers new learning resources and physical activities to meet the needs of today’s youth and educators.

Grant recipients are now able to implement a variety of wellness activities with additions such as physical activity equipment, a mobile salad bar, CPR training resources, water bottle filling stations and educator training opportunities on their campuses.

“Schools are a critical link in providing the foundation for cardiovascular wellness in our country by helping students develop healthy habits at an early age,” said Tanya Edwards, executive vice president of community development and health for the American Heart Association. “The Kids Heart Challenge helps students learn about heart health, find fun ways to stay physically active and provide valuable physical education curriculum. With the addition of the grant program, teachers gain access to funds to take their efforts to the next level, making an even greater impact on their students, families and local communities.”

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans only 20 percent of kids get enough activity to meet physical activity recommendations. The Kids Heart Challenge is rooted in proven science which has shown that kids who are regularly active have a better chance of a healthy adulthood.

In addition to improved physical health, the benefits of physical activity for children include better grades, school attendance and classroom behavior. Physical activity can also help kids feel better, improve mental health, build self-esteem and decrease and prevent conditions such as anxiety and depression.

Other schools are encouraged to register now for the Kids Heart Challenge to bring expanded curriculum resources to their classrooms in the 2019-2020 school year. To learn more about other school programs, or to make a donation to the American Heart Association, visit Heart.org.