WAILUKU - The Maui Family YMCA has received a nearly $1.2 million grant to improve fitness and activity levels of students in a dozen Maui elementary schools, all of which lack physical education programs.
The YMCA will provide a wellness resource director to each school for a one-year intervention, according to a news release. During that time, the needs of students will be assessed, and the director will train teachers in the implementation of a wellness program two days a week and work with students in a physical education setting three days a week.
"In addition to the health benefits this grant will allow, it also comes at a time when the schools are being required to tighten their belts," said Mike Morris, chief executive officer of the Maui Family YMCA. "Typically, when times get tough, important programs like P.E. get left out of the curriculum. With this grant, the YMCA will help the schools give their students a well-rounded education, one that includes physical education."
The award marks the second time in five years that the Maui facility has been awarded a Fund for the Improvement of Education: Carol M. White Physical Education Program Grant. The YMCA's three-year program is expected to affect nearly 9,500 students.
The Maui YMCA implemented a similar program in six Maui schools in 2004. Tests given the students at the end of the project showed significant improvements in the percentage who were able to meet minimum fitness levels.
"With 9 million U.S. children overweight - more than double the percentage in 1980 - increasing the levels of physical activity in the lives of our children is a critical component in our nation's efforts to combat childhood obesity," Morris said.
0 comments:
Post a Comment