U-46 middle schools recognized for Fuel Up to Play 60 program
ELGIN - Abbott Middle School teachers Chad Dahlman, Kim Freesemann and Matt Freesemann as well as Tefft Middle School teacher Dustin Covarrubias, received special recognition for implementation of the Fuel Up to Play 60 program during the Chicago Bears vs. Dallas Cowboys football game at Soldier Field earlier this month.
Fuel Up to Play 60 is a national movement that empowers youth to take action for their own health by consuming nutrient-rich foods and achieving at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.
"Teaching young students the importance of nutrition and exercise will encourage them to make healthy choices for the rest of their lives," said Elgin Area School District U-46 CEO Tony Sanders. "Our teachers are working hard to offer programs that inspire students to make smart decisions about their health."
Abbott Middle School was one of eight winning schools and Tefft Middle School was one of eight runners-up honored during pre-game activities.
To be eligible to win, participating schools had to meet certain criteria, such as hosting a Fuel Up to Play 60 kick-off event and sharing their wellness strategies.
Abbott Middle School has participated in Fuel Up to Play 60 for five years and plans several year-round events to encourage healthy choices among students. Highlights from Abbott's Fuel Up to Play 60 program include a flash mob dance of Michael Jackson's "Thriller," an annual turkey trot obstacle course race, and the Soup-er Bowl canned food donation. Students have also participated in a running club, field day, Touchdown Dance, farm-to-fresh produce day, and taste-testing with the cafeteria manager and program co-advisor Miguel Medel.
"We just want to give our students opportunities to experience a variety of activities that they can participate in and healthy foods that they may not have realized how good they taste," said Kathy Davis, Abbott Middle School principal.
Fuel Up to Play 60 is sponsored by the National Dairy Council, National Football League, and U.S. Department of Agriculture and over 73,000 schools participate in the program.