Students at Oxford Middle School have got 5,000 reasons to eat right and stay active.
That’s how many dollars they’re receiving as part of the ‘Fuel Up to Play 60? grant they won from the National Dairy Council, United Dairy Industry of Michigan and National Football League.
Fuel Up to Play 60 is a youth program designed to inspire kids to play for at least 60 minutes per day, then fuel up with nutrient-rich foods such as low-fat/fat-free dairy products, fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
‘It’s gotten all of us really thinking about the choices that we’re making,? said OMS Assistant Principal Dacia Beazley.
The school hasn’t decided how the money’s going to be spent, however, a committee consisting of 15 students and two adult advisers, of which Beazley is one, is working on it.
‘We’ve had a lot of interest,? Beazley said. ‘Our kids have a lot of great ideas. They are thinking pie in the sky right now.?
Ideas range from holding 20-minute walkathons in the gym to offering different lunch food choices in the cafeteria.
Unlike many school programs, Fuel Up to Play 60 doesn’t consist of adults telling kids what to do.
‘Part of the deal is (how the money’s spent) cannot be an adult decision. It has to be kids? ideas,? Beazley explained. ‘It’s all student-run. It’s not adults sitting around saying let’s do this and let’s buy this.?
That part really appeals to Beazley. ‘I love that the students are able to create something that’s going to fit their needs,? she said.
As part of program, students will asked to register at www.fueluptoplay60.com.
There they can track their healthy eating and phyical activity as well as take pop quizzes and answer challenges to earn points towards exciting prizes.