By

Judy Abbey,   Floyd C Fretz Middle School

Play:

Topics:

Access to Healthy Foods,  Physical Activity Participation

Healthy snacks and physical activity was the message shared during the annual Fuel Up to Play 60 kickoff event at Floyd C. Fretz Middle School, Bradford, PA. No better way to have our students at Fretz sample healthy snacks but during our tailgate party at lunch. Samples of healthy alternative snacks included fruits and vegetables. We encouraged all the students to try something new and take a chance with a sample of vegetables. Throughout the lunch period, a trivia contest was taking place with the questions being asked about the NFL. With our school divided with Buffalo Bills fans and Pittsburgh Steelers fan, we had a contest pitting fans of each team to answer questions about their beloved team. We did not forget those avid fans of other teams, as we had trivia about other facts involving all teams in the NFL. 

Always a fun day is our jersey day. It is always well received and a jersey contest among the homerooms is always a great challenge. The reward for homerooms is a healthy breakfast served to all students in the winning grade level homeroom. The entire day was to promote health and the spirit of youth. It is a great way to get students to be more aware and be more responsible for their own health and make healthy choices. It was the beginning of many wonderful and successful activities that will involve the Fuel Up to Play 60 program at Fretz Middle School.

How do you plan to make this Play last during the school year and beyond?

It is important for all students to have the opportunity to learn about healthy food choices. Many of our students are afraid to try new foods but our Nutrition service has been so awesome helping that to happen and with the beginning Kick off day to quarterly events sponsored more and more students throughout the year the students are willing to step out of their comfort zone and try new fruits and vegetables.

What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?

The Middle School students are now learning to step out and take a chance with trying new healthy foods and activities. The challenge is how to get them to feel comfortable to try new physical activities as well as new healthy food choices. With the ability to try these through our activities at school, to include food sampling, many are allowing themselves to go ahead step out and give things a chance.