By

Karina Salinas,   Irving Middle

Play:

NFL Play 60 Challenge

Topics:

Community Involvement, Physical Activity Participation, Student Leadership,  Teamwork

Our students participated in this Challenge in different capacities. The students in the Spanish courses created bilingual posters stating the importance of balanced meals and the importance of participating in physical activity. The posters were displayed in the school cafeteria. We also held a kick off pep rally in which the band, mariachi, cheer leaders, football players and volleyball athletes participated in. Students showcased their posters and FUTP 60 badges. Some students demonstrated leadership by presenting to their peers during the kick off pep rally. It was also the student's idea to create a Health Club. Our Health Club met one Friday a month to brainstorm ways in which we could improve physical activity participation and improving healthy habits. Students also participated in campus clean ups and park renovations projects.

How did students and adults work together as a team?

Teachers encouraged students to create posters. Coaches chaperoned and helped during the campus cleanups and park renovations. Students created posters and presentations for their peers. Student-athletes and coaches encouraged students to become involved in after school programs and sports.

What improvements have you seen at your school?

I had a visitor from a neighboring high school tell me how impressed she was with the cleanliness of our school. This reflected on one of the points our students made; there was often trash left around campus during the weekend on the field that would blow into our recreational areas. There has also been an increase in participation in after school programs.

How did you accomplish your goals?

After introducing the FUTP 60 program to my students, we sat down to brainstorm. Students came up with different ideas such as; cleaning our recreational areas, creating posters, having different physical activities in the morning before school. This ultimately led to us creating a Health Club. Our Health Club met once a month to brainstorm different ideas and set up dates to accomplish our challenges.