MCCSC and Four Area Schools Selected as Healthy Schools Grant Recipients
Since 2010, the Monroe Owen County Medical Society has awarded more than $20,000 in grants to students in local elementary, middle and high schools. These grants are used to promote healthy lifestyles among students and to fight childhood obesity. In the recent press release to the Herald Times, Dr. Laura B. Knudson, President of MOCMS stated that, “For some of us, awarding these grants is one of the best perks of being in the medical society. We offer these grants annually and encourage all schools in Monroe and Owen Counties to apply.”
This year, MOCMS was pleased to award the following Healthy Schools Grants:
The MCCSC After School Run Club started three years ago as a safe space for students to experience new activities, learn about goal setting, and have fun while being active. This program has grown in popularity every year, and as a result, middle schools have seen an increase in the number of students participating in cross country and track & field. Starting this year, the run clubs offered nutrition education lessons, which included nutritious snacks. Grant funding covered the cost of food and other items served as samples.
Patricksburg Elementary School wants children in all grades to be able to play and exercise outside in nice weather. They were awarded grant money to fund an adjustable goal post so that even children in grades K-3 were able to play and learn the fundamentals of basketball.
Balance ball chairs encourage students to learn, adopt and practice healthy posture while building core strength from active sitting. Ball movements increase blood flow to the brain, help improve concentration and increase focus. Rogers Elementary School was awarded grant money to fund ball chairs for their classrooms.
Because of MOCMS grant money received, Templeton Elementary School was able to purchase equipment and implement four new units for over 500 students in pre-K to grade 6. The students were introduced to badminton, tennis and pickleball during a six-week unit in the months of April and May. Many of the students had never been exposed to these lifetime learning activities, so it was an exciting time for the children. Research has shown that movement can improve cognitive functioning. With funding from the MOCMS Healthy Schools Grant, Unionville Elementary School installed a Minds in Motion course in their hallway. The course allows students opportunities to walk across a balance beam, crawl under and over things, hop, jump, and skip as they walk through the hallway. Students reported loving the course and teachers are proud of the work they have done to integrate physical activity into the school day.
