Iowa Governor Terry Branstad pledged his commitment to child health and wellness through Fuel Up to Play 60, an in-school health and wellness program that encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods and achieve 60 minutes of physical activity every day. The Governor joined Lieutenant Governor, Kim Reynolds; Secretary of Agriculture, Bill Northey; Director of Department of Public Health, Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks; Director of Department of Education, Dr. Jason Glass; the program advisor and student body from Capitol View Elementary School in Des Moines, Iowa; former Kansas City Chiefs player, Eddie Kennison; Iowa dairy farmers; and members of Midwest Dairy Council to sign the symbolic pledge.
At a celebratory school assembly at Capitol View Elementary School, the Governor praised the commitment to wellness from Iowa students and pledged his support for Fuel Up to Play 60, indicating the program is a positive next step toward helping Iowa students achieve pathways to better nutrition and fitness for life. “Fuel Up to Play 60 will play a key role in helping achieve our goal of making Iowa the healthiest state in the nation,” Governor Branstad said. “The program sets our schoolchildren up for success by providing healthy food choices and encouraging exercise or play for at least 60 minutes every day.”
Lieutenant Governor Reynolds spoke about the impact the program will have on future generations. “The children in our state are the future of Iowa. I’m thankful that Fuel Up to Play 60 teaches healthy habits that will help improve the quality of their lives in years to come.”
“As dairy farmers, we have always cared about legacy and the importance of passing on a better future to the next generation,” said dairy farmer Jason Brockhaus, from Ocheyedan, Iowa. “To date, the dairy community has awarded more than $129,000 in funding to Iowa schools to help jumpstart and champion school wellnessefforts.”
Any school in Iowa can enroll in the free program, thus becoming eligible to apply for funds to help increase awareness of and access to nutrient-rich foods and physical activity opportunities for students. As part of Fuel Up to Play 60, schools can receive a free Quick Start Resources kit with planning tools and in-school collateral materials to help them implement healthy eating and physical fitness plans.
“As a physical education teacher, I am excited and proud to have the opportunity for Capitol View Elementary to get involved with Fuel Up to Play 60. We already have been taking physical activity opportunities outside of the walls of the gym. Our teachers and students engage in daily brain breaks, which get our kids up dancing, moving, and re-focuses them for learning. Fuel Up to Play 60 is going to provide additional skills and opportunities for our students to lead healthy lives, including the importance of fueling their bodies with proper nutrition. I would like to thank Governor Branstad for recognizing the huge need for physical education and to guide our students on the path to healthier lifestyles by endorsing Fuel Up to Play 60,” says Monica Sherman, physical education teacher and Fuel Up to Play 60 program advisor at Capitol View Elementary. PD
—From Midwest Dairy Council news release
PHOTOS:
TOP: Iowa Governor Terry Branstad leads a milk toast. Cheers to Fuel Up to Play 60!
BOTTOM: Gov. Branstad greets Capitol View Elementary students participating in Fuel Up to Play 60 at the school.
Photos courtesy of Midwest Dairy Council.
