Grant to help CES students count steps
Published 4:31 pm Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Big check: On hand for the presentation of a grant to Clanton Elementary School on Tuesday were state Rep. Jimmy Martin, Selene Bernal and Shelia Speaks with CES physical education, Blue Cross Blue Shield Community Relations Manager Jeff Adams, Chilton County Superintendent of Education Tommy Glasscock, CES Principal Rebecca Threlkeld and state Sen. Cam Ward. (Contributed)
Clanton Elementary School students should soon have more tools to use in their effort to stay healthy.
A $6,760 grant was presented to school officials Tuesday by representatives of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama along with state Sen. Cam Ward and Rep. Jimmy Martin.
CES physical education teacher Shelia Speaks said the grant would be used for pedometers, cooking supplies for a nutrition class, archery equipment and Roller Racers, which are used by students during PE class to encourage physical activity.
“We’re just trying to motivate the kids to improve their cardiovascular endurance,” Speaks said.
Speaks said the supplies have already been ordered and should arrive in time to be used during the current school year.
Sixty pedometers will be worn by students as they participate in PE activities, so that they can monitor their progress.
Speaks said she will use the pedometers as a way to motivate the students to improve on their Alabama Physical Fitness Test results.
The fitness and activity additions will also be used by the CES afterschool program.
“Clanton Elementary physical education program’s goal is to motivate our students to improve their daily physical activity in school and outside of school,” Speaks wrote in the application. “Also, we would like to increase the number of students in our afterschool program and provide additional fitness and nutrition activities.”
Speaks said the pedometers should be easy to take on and off when classes change.
Second grade students will use the pedometers, and first graders likely will too.
PE classes are held every day and last 30 minutes.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama’s “Be Health” School Grant Program is awarding $250,000 in grants to 28 schools statewide, including CES, during the school year, according to a press release.
“The grants are for the implementation of school-based health and wellness programs, emphasizing increased exercise, nutrition education and parental involvement during the school year,” the release reads. “More than 15,000 students will benefit from the program. Each school is receiving a grant up to $10,000.”
