The primary interest of Athens City Schools is the academic pursuit and success of our students. While reading, writing and arithmetic are absolutely fundamental to preparation for success, proper child development incorporates a comprehensive, whole-person perspective. There are many elements that contribute to student development and success. One of these important elements is healthy living.

A well-rounded health education program is an important part of the curriculum in the ACS district. At Brookhill Elementary School, the program is about to get a boost.

This week, BES was awarded the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama’s Be Healthy School Grant. The grant program exists for the implementation of school-based health and wellness programs, emphasizing increased exercise, nutrition education and parental involvement during the school year.

“We are seeing the positive results of healthy lifestyle initiatives being implemented in our schools by students and faculty. The ongoing success of our school grant program validates the investment we are making in the long-term health of Alabama’s children,” said Jeff Adams, Community Relations Manager, BCBS of Alabama.

Since 2012, Blue Cross has awarded over $1,019,000 in 114 Be Healthy School Grants statewide, impacting nearly 57,500 students.

BES will use the grant funding to expand the school’s current physical education programming by adding an outdoor track for use by students, teachers and families.

It is the goal of every Athens City school to teach students the benefits and enjoyment that can be found through physical activity and to educate them about the importance of leading healthy lifestyles. Research shows that physical activity at school helps with concentration, memory and classroom behavior. It also gives students the knowledge and skills needed to participate in many fun and challenging games.

“The Brookhill family is very excited about receiving the BCBS Be Healthy Grant for the new track on the Brookhill campus that our students, staff, parents and members of our community can access,” said Jeff Mathheus, Brookhill principal. “Our P.E. department and counselor will also be conducting lessons to tie back into the grant that will benefit our students. We are very grateful to former principal Phillip Jarmon and Dr. Chris Hamilton, Director of Communications and Public Relations for Athens City Schools, for writing the grant to benefit our students and community.”

BES currently promotes the Mileage Club; an approved physical fitness mile run test to increase endurance. As students run each mile, they log the number of miles they run with the possibility of adding trinkets to a bracelet and other extrinsic awards. With the addition of a track, the students could actually count the number of laps they run toward completing a mile run.

Every year across the State students in grades 2 and up participate in the Alabama Physical Fitness Assessment to test their fitness in four areas, core body strength, upper body strength, endurance and flexibility. This is an optimal platform to assess student success in regard to improved fitness directly related to the installment of a track and the implementation of the Mileage Club fitness program. Brookhill’s goal is to increase the number of miles students run by fifty percent. This will be measured by the Mileage Club log chart that students can access on their school iPad devices.

The track will also be a part of community outreach efforts. Brookhill plans to have events such as a “Walk It Out” day where parents join their children. The new track will improve the quality of the annual Fun Run, a fundraising event where a child gets several people to sponsor them to run laps. Parents, teachers and sponsors can run and enjoy the active time with the students.

“This grant means a lot to Brookhill, especially for the students. We hope that it will provide a pathway for greater fitness and educational opportunities for our students this year and in the future,” said BES P.E. teacher Ben Heatherly.

Athens City Schools is appreciative of grant opportunities and always works to use these opportunities to strengthen the curriculum and add enrich the lives of students.

— Hickman is over communications and strategic planning for Athens City Schools. She can be reached at Ginger.Hickman@acs-k12.org.