When Program Advisor Lisa Kring decided to start Fuel Up to Play 60 at Falcon Bluffs Middle School, she wasn’t sure how it would go, but she knew it was important.
“Nicole Croy [who coaches schools participating in Fuel Up to Play 60] presented at the healthy schools meeting for our district and the program sounded amazing,” Kring said. “I have read so much about how healthy eating and physical activity can truly help students be more successful at school.”
Kring decided to apply for funding through Dairy MAX's grant program and received funding to get the program started. Next, she used the school’s podcast and morning announcements to recruit a student leadership team.
“They have energy like there’s no tomorrow!” Kring exclaims. “I just have to channel it into one thing at a time.”
So far, the team has hosted a kickoff event and completed the School Wellness Investigation.
After the wellness investigation (the wellness investigation is a step of the Fuel Up to Play 60 program where students investigate their school wellness environment to help them identify areas to improve), the team decided to create a poster board to help teach other students about healthy habits. Two of the student leaders also presented to the staff of the school about brain breaks and the kinds of equipment they could order for their classroom to help with activity.
At the kickoff event, the school hosted two Denver Broncos Cheerleaders and Miles the Mascot at lunch. During that time, they had stations to teach students about the five food groups and one where they could learn how to log in to FuelUptoPlay60.com and track activity.
“I even have a student who isn’t on our leadership team, but in my girls only weight lifting and health class who has been logging all her activity and working toward student ambassador level!” Kring said. She has since taught the rest of Kring’s all-girls class about the program and helped them set up accounts on the Fuel Up to Play 60 website. “She really likes the challenges and worksheets and that it is helping her feel stronger and healthier.”
Kring’s advice for new program advisors?
“Apply for the grants! Kids want to be active and there’s lots of very fun challenges and activities for them to do, in addition Fuel to Play 60 has a great support system, like Nicole Croy at Dairy MAX!”
