2 Paulding Schools Earn NFL Play 60 Grants

Abney Elementary and Sammy McClure Middle Schools, both in Dallas, were two of six local schools awarded a Fuel Up to Play 60 (FUTP60) grant. The grant, which is provided by the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association Inc. (SUDIA) in partnership with the National Football League (NFL), will help each school implement and maintain the FUTP60 program.

"We at W.C. Abney Elementary are very excited to be a part of this grant and this program," Scott Brock said, Abner principal. "The funds will be used to further our interest in improving the health and fitness of our Abney students and families."

The schools to receive the grant include:

·         Mirror Lake Elementary School, Villa Rica, GA

·         Dacula Elementary School, Dacula, GA

·         Dyer Elementary School, Lawrenceville, GA

·         Sugar Hill Elementary School, Gainesville, GA

·         Abney Elementary School, Dallas, GA

·         Sammy McClure Middle School, Dallas, GA

 “The NFL is strongly committed to helping the next generation of youth achieve healthier lifestyles,” said Roger Goodell, commissioner of the NFL. “Through Fuel Up to Play 60, we want young people to discover that healthy habits can be both fun and empowering.”

Launched by the National Dairy Council (NDC) and the NFL in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), FUTP60 empowers youth to take action to improve nutrition and physical activity at their school and for their own health. The ultimate goal is to ensure the changes made at school are sustainable, making it possible for children to have more opportunities to be physically active and choose tasty, nutrient-rich foods, including low-fat and fat-free dairy foods, fruits, vegetables and whole grains throughout.

“Fuel Up to Play 60 is already demonstrating that children want to, and will continue to, contribute to improving the health of the kids in their school,” said David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D., 16th U.S. Surgeon General.

Developed by students for students, the Fuel Up to Play 60 program has an interactive website (FuelUpToPlay60.com) which offers everything from healthy eating tips to physical fitness challenges. Resources kits are distributed to educators to help extend the program’s reach in the schools. Continued partnerships with sponsors such as the NFL, XBOX Kinect, McDonald’s and the USDA allow FUTP60 to reward students and school stakeholders for taking action and encouraging continued participation. For more information about the Fuel Up To Play 60 program, visit FuelUpToPlay60.com.