Three Area Schools Selected as Healthy Schools Grant Recipients
Since 2011, The Monroe Owen County Medical Society, has awarded more than $25,000 in grants to Monroe and Owen County elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools for promoting healthy lifestyles among students through the Healthy Schools Grant Program. Applications for the Healthy Schools Grant may be found on the MOCMS website, www.mocms.org
This year, the following schools were awarded Healthy Schools Grants by MOCMS:
The game of Pickleball has become one of the fastest growing sports in our country. Both Bloomington High School South and Batchelor Middle School requested funds for Pickleball for their schools to remain active and have fun with racket sports. The grants were awarded to these two schools for use in Pickleball nets and paddles. The game of Pickleball provides an environment for all ability levels to feel empowered to be physically active.
Since receiving the MOCMS Healthy Schools Grant, Batchelor Middle School has had a multitude of opportunities to use their new pickleball equipment with their students and staff. The nets were first put to use during the Pickleball Unit in Physical Education in February. Additionally, they were able to use the new nets to modify volleyball. They used the nets to play seated volleyball with a class that contained a student who is wheelchair-bound. This created an inclusive environment where the student expressed his enjoyment as well as an appreciation from his peers.
Since the conclusion of the Pickleball Unit, they have regularly played Pickleball on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Students have the opportunity to sign up for enrichment opportunities during Discovery and the Pickleball sessions get filled to the maximum capacity in minutes. The staff has noticed that the students are discovering new ways to add intensity to their game and are learning how to serve in a more challenging way and how to put spin on a return hit.
“Batchelor Middle School is grateful for the complete funding of our Pickleball equipment and the social, emotional, and physical benefits of coming together to play!”
Bloomington High School South would like to thank the Monroe Owen Medical Society for granting the funds this school year to purchase three new portable Bownets for their Physical Education department. They have had to make several changes to their PE curriculum this year to allow for more social distancing. They decided to teach and play more racket sports (Pickleball, Badminton, Tennis and Squash) because it would allow for more distancing. Plus, many of the students had never played these sports. These units have been a HUGE hit with their students. Next year, they have tripled the number of students who will sign up for the PE elective: Racket Sports. BHSS PE classes had big numbers (40-60 students) this year, so they had to have more nets to accommodate these big classes. Over the course of the school year, they have found so many new ways to use the Bownets and play different games. The PE teachers especially thank MOCMS because the nets are easy to break down and they are not heavy. BHSS students have been able to use them both inside and outside this year.
Unionville Elementary School requested, and was awarded, funds to purchase supplies to support their school gardening initiatives. Their school is an EARTH School (E=environment, A=Art, R=Resources, T=Technology and H=Health), and they are working on expanding gardening into their school day. The funds awarded to Unionville allowed them to purchase supplies to help with their raised garden beds for growing vegetables, compost bins, and native flower gardens. They were excited to share that they were able to successfully start over 200 lettuce plants from seed. The students in the gardening program were able to grow their own plant, first under a grow light inside, and finally in the ground in raised beds on their playground. Each student was able to taste the microgreens. The students enjoyed tasting food they had a hand in growing or making. The staff at Unionville Elementary feels strongly that the gardening experience and those to come will increase the likelihood of students developing a lifelong healthy relationship with food.
Dr. Christal Greene, President of MOCMS, said “The Monroe Owen County Medical Society is honored to support students’ healthy growth and development, particularly during this challenging time. The Healthy Schools Grants are designed to improve all aspects of our children’s health, from play to calm, connection with nature to connection with others, healthy foods to healthy habits. We are delighted to provide for our schools and students and welcome every educator in Monroe and Owen Counties to apply for these annual grants.”
