By

Jonathan Anderson,   Stonybrook Middle School

Play:

A Community Taste Test Event

Topics:

Access to Healthy Foods, Community Involvement,  Physical Activity Participation

Even before it was confirmed that I was awarded the grant, I had already planned much of our event. I was able to unite our PE/Health department with the Food Service team, academic departments, and our district health coach to have an exciting night ready to go. After being awarded the grant, I went into full on event mode. With the money, I was able to purchase everything I needed to not only have a fantastic event that included Taste Testing of smoothies, hummus, and healthy tuna salad, a Hoops for Heart Basketball Tournament, game stations including XBOX Dance Central, and a fitness class provided by our Township. We had a ton of raffle prizes the kids were unbelievably excited about and our attendance kept getting bigger and bigger through the night. With everything the grant provided, I can continue to offer our kids healthy options through our concession stand as well as give them fitness feedback with heart rate monitors. We also had access to the Indianapolis Colts videographer to highlight all of the fun participation we were having. I couldn't have been more pleased with how it turned out thanks to Fuel Up to Play 60 and the Dairy Council.

How did you accomplish your goals?

I was able to work with our administration, support staff, and food service team to coordinate an effort that culminated in one night of fun. I was able to utilize printing services to advertise our event and went to local services to ask that they also advertise for us.

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

We can use our new Vitamix Blender to give our students access to healthy fruit and vegetable smoothies year round. We can also utilize our heart monitors to give kids fitness feedback throughout the year in PE.

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

Challenges for our school have always been getting student and parent involvement after school in something that isn't athletics. I overcame this by simply tying them together and utilizing our annual Hoops for Heart basketball tournament. I was also able to overcome this challenge through advertising and word of mouth by really encouraging some of our student leaders to show their excitement for the event.