FYI May 1, 2012 from NJAHPERD

Suzette de Araujo, Editor

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May 1/2012

NJAHPERD BOARD MEMBERS

Kathy Fritz, President

Jackie Malaska, Executive Director

Executive Board

EXECUTIVE BOARD NEWS

A message from your president...

"How wonderful that no one need wait a single moment to improve the world."~ Anne Frank

May brings lots to celebrate starting with your programs for National Physical Education and Sport week May 1st - 7th. Project A.C.E.S day on May 2nd , the fist ever National Bike To School Day on May 9th. Also during the week of May 7th - 11th Parent Teacher Associations around the country will honor and thank teachers during annual Teacher Appreciation Week. Remember to take a few moments to reflect on all you have worked for and achieved this school year before you begin setting your goals for the differences you will make during your summer adventures and the year to come.

Enjoy,

Kathy Fritz

2012-13 Professional Development Plans

Pre-planning...

As you begin to prepare your Professional Development Plan for the 2012-13 school year, NJAHPERD recommends that you include participation in content specific professional development to ensure that you will have the opportunity to attend a NJAHPERD sponsored professional development event. NJAHPERD Events

Weekend Professional Development Event

Lake Conference...Mark Your Calendars and Register Now!

The Lake Conference will be held September 28-30, 2012. Set aside some time to join the fun for this action-packed activity weekend featuring Jean Blaydes (Texas), Amy Gagnon (Connecticut), Kerry Lubin (Pennsylvania) and our own Chip Candy, Jim Ross, John Smith, Shawn Bennett, Arvin Arjona, (New Jersey) and Eric Eder 2010 NJAHPERD Elementary Teacher of the Year. Check out the tentative schedule and the session descriptions on the NJAHPERD web site. See the Lake Conference page listed under Our Professional Events and check out the speaker page for more information about our presenters. MORE

Have further questions? Contact Gregg Montgomery, NJAHPERD Lake Chair, 973-927-4862 home, 201-841-1059 cell or the NJAHPERD office.

Attention Golf Enthusiasts, Friends & Families!

GREAT MOTHER'S DAY GIFT IDEA!

Barclays Tickets are Now Available!

AUGUST 21 - 26, 2012, Farmingdale, NY

BETHPAGE STATE PARK - BLACK COURSE

TICKETS Fore CHARITY

(TFC) is a unique fundraising initiative for NJAHPERD to raise significant funds while becoming aligned with one of the most prestigious golf tournaments in the world. The Barclays is the first event in the PGA Tour Playoffs for the FedExCup and regularly attracts the biggest names in professional golf. This year the event will be held at the prestigious Beth Page Black Course

in Farmingdale, NY.

The ticket available through TICKETS Fore CHARITY is a weekly grounds ticket available for $150. This is a grounds ticket for each day of the tournament from Tuesday, Aug. 21-Sunday, Aug. 26. NJAHPERD will receive $112.50 of each ticket purchased on their behalf. The remaining $37.50 is donated to The First Tee of Metropolitan NY.

You can purchase tickets through Ticketmaster using code: FLAGSTICK or save fees and purchase through NJAHPERD.

Want to VOLUNTEER at the Tournament? Visit the Barclays Volunteer website to choose from over 20 different committees including marshal, ambassador, admissions, golf carts, caddie registration, shot link laser operator, transportation and many others. Your volunteer payment ($65) will also offset tournament costs so the Barclays can make significant contributions to local charities, including NJAHPERD. Remember to select NJAHPERD as the "organization" from the drop down list. Select JoAnn Doherty as the NJAHPERD Chairperson you know!

No time to volunteer or attend, but still want to contribute? Future Professionals are willing to volunteer for you! Sponsor a Future Professional for $65 and they will make the commitment to work as a volunteer. NJAHPERD will receive additional funding and the student will gain valuable experience.

MORE Information and to Purchase Tickets

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Celebrate National Physical Education & Sports Month!

May 1-7, 2012

Here are NJASK Brain Breaks & Tips and ideas for classroom teachers to use during NJASK testing. Thank you to Sue Toth, NJAHPERD Middle School Teacher of the Year for her contributions.

Additional activities to help celebrate!

Let us know how you are celebrating in your school district!

Why not ask your Mayor or State Congressman to sign a resolution proclaiming May 1-7 as PE & Sports Week in your town or district? It only takes a phone call from a passionate professional! JoAnn Doherty was able to secure a proclamation from State Senator Robert M. Gordon, District 38 to urge constituents to renew their commitment to make regular physical activity a part of their lives and quality physical education programs a part of all community schools. A sample proclamation is available here that you can take to your local legislator and/or mayor and have them sign on.

You may also want to include some NJ facts on obesity to make the proclamation more appropriate for NJ or share them with your administrator.

So many NJAHPERD members are doing GREAT things for our students and the profession. This is YOUR opportunity to do what you can to advocate for Health and Physical Education. Let your voice be heard!

Tenafly Middle School PE teachers are opening the gym early each morning so students receive extra physical activity time.

Montgomery Township Lower Middle School PE teachers, Debbie Camamis and Justine Hickman have shared information about brain based learning with their classroom teachers during an inservice day and teachers will use the brain break suggestions from NJAHPERD!

Remind classroom teachers to read the Get up and move! article by Phil Nast in the NEA TODAY Spring 2012 magazine on page 26.

Have you registered for Let's Move in School yet? It's FREE and the resources are amazing.

NEW screen-time vs. lean-time info graphic

CDC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) initiative is pleased to announce a new infographic on physical activity: Screen Time vs. Lean Time.

Childhood obesity rates have more than tripled in the last 30 years. Today, about one in six children is obese. According to research from the Kaiser Family Foundation, the time kids spend in front of a screen for entertainment has increased by an hour and 17 minutes since 2004. The number of ways that kids can use a screen has also increased with the proliferation of smart phones, portable DVD players, handheld entertainment consoles, and tablet computers.

This new infographic is intended to educate parents, caregivers, and those who interact with kids ages 8-18 about the surprising amounts of TV, video game, computer and other entertainment screen time that children are getting, and the opportunities for physical activity that they are missing out on. The infographic also provides tips for healthier activities and ways parents can limit screen time in the home.

Find the infographic online

We encourage you to share it on your web site and Facebook page, as well as tweet about it. If you would like to adapt the infographic for other purposes (such as posters with your own and CDC's logo) and you need assistance, please contact Leslie Lewis at LLewis@fhi360.org

While the release is being timed to support Screen-Free Week (April 30 to May 6), this infographic can be used any time of year to get families talking about physical activity. We would love your help promoting the important message that kids need less screen time and more physical activity!

Fitness Assessment

It's that time of the year!

Are you really still using the President's Challenge for fitness testing?
Fitnessgram assessment includes a variety of health-related physical fitness tests that assess aerobic capacity; muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility; and body composition and scores from these assessments are compared to Healthy Fitness Zone® standards to determine students' overall physical fitness and suggest areas for improvement. The Healthy Fitness Zone standards are not based on class averages or any other peer comparisons. Reports are available to send home to students and parents which is a great way to advocate for quality PE.

No funding available in your district budget? No problem!

Fitnessgram grants are available for the 9.0 web based version and free training through funding by the NJ Council on Physical Fitness & Sports to qualifying schools. Fitnessgram Application
FG System requirements

Fitness Testing Best Practices
Physical educators use fitness assessment as part of the ongoing process of helping students understand, enjoy, improve and/or maintain their physical fitness and well-being.

Physical educators make every effort to create testing situations that are private, nonthreatening,educational and encouraging.

Physical educators encourage students to avoid comparisons with others and, instead, use the results as a catalyst for personal improvement.
Appropriate Uses of Fitness Testing

Inappropriate Practices
Testing is public; students observe others completing the test while they wait for their turn to take it.

Fitness scores are used for grading.

Results are interpreted based on comparison to norms rather than how they apply to the students' future health and well-being. Students are allowed to compare their test scores.

Individual scores are posted publicly, where anyone can view and compare them.
Source: NASPE Appropriate Instructional Practice Guidelines

Kids' Tennis Clubs

USTA

Kids' Tennis Clubs allow children to sample tennis in a fun and safe environment. Programs are specifically designed to give kids the opportunity to play in a fun, supervised format offering them the opportunity to gain confidence and meet new friends while enhancing their social and physical development. By using "right sized" equipment, it is now easier than ever for kids to experience immediate success right from the start. Kids quickly begin rallying - no instruction necessary. Additionally, because no courts are required, Kids' Tennis Clubs can be located in a variety of "open play" settings including local schools, parks, youth centers, and tennis facilities.

Teachers and local organizers will receive a FREE

* Kids' Tennis Club Playbook highlighting fun and easy tennis activities
* Clipboard
* customizable marketing materials once you register

Get involved and help introduce tennis to kids today!

Register Now for the USTA Kids' Tennis Clubs.

Namaste A-Okay: 3 Surprising Ways Yoga Benefits You (Including Weight Loss!)

Beachbody

It turns out yoga can help your brain. Researchers from Boston University, New York Medical College, and Columbia report that certain imbalances in the brain occur when a person suffers from depression or stress-related conditions. These imbalances include low activity of gamma amino-butyric acid (GABA), an issue linked to epilepsy, chronic pain, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The researchers found that yoga increases the activity of GABA, which in turn significantly improves symptoms. They suggest that, "This has far-reaching implications for the integration of yoga-based practices in the treatment of a broad array of disorders exacerbated by stress." In other words, you can treat depression while getting in shape at the same time. MORE

ACL injuries up 400 percent in young athletes

KXAS-TV Share

Whether your child plays football, soccer, volleyball or track, their passion for the game could be setting the stage for a serious injury. Doctors in Philadelphia noticed a 400 percent increase in anterior cruciate ligament injuries in teens and adolescents over the last 10 years. The ACL is the most important of the four ligaments that connect the bones of the knee joint in order to provide stabilization during normal and athletic activities. A tear to the ACL could end a young athlete's career before it begins. MORE

DANCE

Boys and teens take the leap into the world of ballet

The Kansas City Star Share

For most teenage boys, it's simple math. One long week of studies plus one warm late Friday afternoon equals time to hang out with friends and unwind. But on a recent spring day, that equation works out differently for Cameron Miller. It's time for him to get down to some serious work at the Kansas City Ballet's Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity. Scattered around a studio, nine dancers move in unison with arms rounded, chins tilted and backs straight, following the precise, rapid instructions of their instructor. Teacher Sean Duus weaves around the dancers, inspecting form and offering gentle suggestions. MORE

RESEARCH RESULTS

Yoga shows psychological benefits for high-school students

The Ratey Institute

Yoga classes have positive psychological effects for high-school students, according to a pilot study in the AprilJournal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, the official journal of the Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.

Since mental health disorders commonly develop in the teenage years, "Yoga may serve a preventive role in adolescent mental health," according to the new study, led by Jessica Noggle, PhD, of Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston. MORE

For better concentration, try PE class

The Richmond Register Share

Dr. Jack Rutherford: "I've been reading several studies on the benefits of exercise on academic achievement and concentration. The research is clearly saying that if you want a child to focus intently and perform well on tests, he or she should first take physical education class. This issue has particular relevance for school districts looking to reduce or cut their physical education programs and teachers to save money." MORE

How exercise could lead to a better brain

The New York Times Share

The value of mental-training games may be speculative, as Dan Hurley writes in his article on the quest to make ourselves smarter, but there is another, easy-to-achieve, scientifically proven way to make yourself smarter. Go for a walk or a swim. For more than a decade, neuroscientists and physiologists have been gathering evidence of the beneficial relationship between exercise and brainpower. But the newest findings make it clear that this isn't just a relationship; it is the relationship. MORE

Studies question the pairing of food deserts and obesity

The New York Times Share

It has become an article of faith among some policymakers and advocates, including Michelle Obama, that poor urban neighborhoods are food deserts, bereft of fresh fruits and vegetables. But two new studies have found something unexpected. Such neighborhoods not only have more fast food restaurants and convenience stores than more affluent ones, but more grocery stores, supermarkets and full-service restaurants, too. And there is no relationship between the type of food being sold in a neighborhood and obesity among its children and adolescents. MORE

GOOD IDEAS & GOOD DEEDS

Health Trek, Saturday, May 12

Warren, NJ

The Joseph E. Enright Foundation is again hosting a Health Trek on Saturday, May 12 from 6:00 a.m. (breakfast) to 1:00 (Bar-B-Q) with three bike rides (100 km; 50 km; and 25 km) plus a timed run and a leisurely walk to raise funds for our melanoma prevention and early detection programs.

We sponsor free skin cancer screenings, lectures and sun safety workshops. MORE

Generation Fit: Steps to a Healthier Lifestyle

Through December 30, 2012

Newark Museum
Newark, NJ
The Newark Museum is featuring an interactive family exhibition that explores issues of nutrition and exercise. The exhibit includes animation and exercise challenges to learn about a healthy lifestyle.

DRIVER'S EDUCATION

NEW Youth and Road Safety Action Tool Kit

Youth for Road Safety

Today, the youth around the world will have access to YOURS - Youth for Road Safety's first publication that will introduce them to road safety, inspire them, and equip them with the knowledge they need to take action. The Youth and Road Safety Action Kit is an attractive youth friendly publication giving much needed attention to the global road safety threat facing young people.

Each year 400,000 young people aged between 15-29 die on the world's roads and millions more are injured. This translates into more than 1000 young lives lost unnecessarily every day on the roads, making road crashes the number one killer of young people ahead of HIV/Aids, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. The numbers are not merely statistics. Behind each number is a person, a family, a friend, and a story of how life can change in an instant. MORE

Identify, Educate, and Prevent Youth Drugged Driving

Office of National Drug Control Policy

Americans are well aware of the terrible consequences of driving drunk and are familiar with the many successful drinking and driving awareness campaigns. With the dramatic increase of handheld phones and personal devices, campaigns and laws targeting talking or texting while driving have also gained prominence. Yet an often overlooked issue, especially among teens and young adults, is drugged driving. MORE

iDrive Safe, May 11, 2012

Brain Injury Alliance and Teen Safe Driving Coalition

The Teen Safe Driving Coalition is partnering with the Brain Injury Alliance to sponsor "iDrive Safe" -- 2-days of events for teens and parents. Day one is the Champion Schools Showcase and you don't want to miss it. In addition to recognizing the 30 schools that developed peer-to-peer teen safe driving campaigns for their schools and communities as well as honoring the top two with a driving simulator for their driver ed programs, BIA will also join with the Coalition in recognizing this year's class of GDL Champions. MORE

Good Driving for Life,

2012 Teen Safe Driving Summit

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Calling all teens 14-16 years of age (and your parents)! Don't miss the teen driving event of the year! Join with teens from across the state to get the facts about NJ's Graduated Driver License program and to build skills that ensure Good Driving for Life! MORE

ADVOCACY

Thank you to Congressman Andrews for supporting PEP funding!

Email Congressman Rob Andrews!

As a result of our visit On the Hill last month and our meeting with Congressman Rob Andrews, the Congressman has sent a letter to the Appropriations Committee in support of PEP funding. We are grateful for his support and ask all constituents in the 1st Congressional District to email him.

Read Congressman Rob Andrews' Letter

Federal Legislation

The US Senate has proclaimed May 1-7 as National Physical Education & Sport Week!

Senator Amy Klobuchar from Minnesota introduced the resolution and it was passed/agreed to in the Senate on Friday, April 27th. Read the Resolution

NJAHPERD Actively Monitors Legislation

Did you know that NJAHPERD pays a legislative consultant to monitor bills that come forward that affect our profession? We also work closely and seek advice from the AHA Government Relations Director on Health and Physical Education issues.

Monitored Legislation

RESOURCES

Using Technology in Physical Education Podcast

March 2012 Edition

The March 2012 edition of the Using Technology in Physical Education Podcast has been posted. MORE

American Red Cross...New Instructor Learning Center & Updates

American Red Cross

Have you updated your certification to include the newest protocols? Have you used the new online instructor learning center? Click here for more info...
Instructor Learning System
Online Instructor Update Instructions for Lay Responders Instructor Update Instructions

Online Instructor Update Instructions for CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer Instructor Update r. 11

FREE Skin cancer assembly, grades 5-12

Horizon Health NJ

It's time to schedule your school's FREE skin cancer assembly. The 60-minute assembly includes a presentation accompanied by an excellent video followed by the use of the Dermascan (better known as the OMG box). If interested in taking advantage of this opportunity, please email Vinny Smith your school name with address, phone and fax numbers and the date and time you would like. Mr. Smith will send back a confirmation of your assembly. Book your date early, they go fast.

Nourish Interactive

The fun way to learn about nutrition

Nourish Interactive
Nourish Interactive is a completely free, English and Spanish website that provides nutrition educators and healthcare providers with a variety of interactive nutrition tools to assist in teaching the key elements of nutrition to children and parents. Read more..

Healthy Steps for Healthy Lives

Nestlé and the National Education Association Health Information Network

The Healthy Steps for Healthy Lives program was developed as a resource for educators to help support ongoing efforts to teach students about being healthy. Parents, after-school programs, and caregivers can also use the materials in the program. Designed for grades K-3 and divided into three categories: THINK, EAT, and MOVE Healthy, the Healthy Steps for Healthy Lives™ instructional activities provide step-by-step directions to carry out these easy-to-use lessons in your classroom. MORE

Food Allergy Policy Guide

National School Boards Association

The National School Boards Association (NSBA) is pleased to announce the release of "Safe at School and Ready to Learn: a Comprehensive Policy Guide for Protecting Students with Life-Threatening Food Allergies."

Developed with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this new guide is designed to help school leaders and schools establish comprehensive policies and practices that support the safety, well-being, and academic success of students with life-threatening food allergies. The guide focuses on the need for schools to partner with families, and healthcare providers in identifying and supporting individual student needs and preparing management plans. Further, it provides recommendations on following medication protocols; establishing a coordinated system to
prevent and respond to food allergy-related emergencies across the school environment; communicating with and educating parents, students, and school personnel; and monitoring and evaluating policies and practices.

The publication also includes a checklist for schools to assess the extent to which the guide's components are included in food allergy policies and practices being developed and implemented; sample state and local education policies; a glossary of commonly used terms; and a list of resources related to food allergies.

The guide is available for download through NSBA's food allergy webpage. For further information on this publication, please email.

Healthy Schools Program

Help reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity by 2015

Schools are powerful places to shape the health, education and well-being of our children. That is why the Alliance's Healthy Schools Program supports more than 12,000 schools across the U.S. in their efforts to create environments where physical activity and healthy eating are accessible and encouraged.

The Alliance collaborates with school staff, parents, students and community members to transform schools into healthy campuses. We provide a step-by-step roadmap for success, a resource database and expert staff that helps schools become healthier places.

Make healthy schools the norm, not the exception. MORE

Appropriate Instructional Practice Guidelines, K-12: A Side by Side Comparison

NASPE

Appropriate Instructional Practice Guidelines, K-12: A Side by Side Comparison

The grid includes developmentally appropriate and inappropriate practices in elementary, middle and high school physical education classes. The grid organizes the practices into five sections.

NJ Coalition for Prevention of Developmental Disabilities

www.CoalitionForPrevention.org

The NJ Coalition for Prevention of Developmental Disabilities is a special program of The Arc of New Jersey. It was created in 1985 and its membership includes over 400 individuals and representatives from the public and community agencies and organizations with an interest in, and dedication to the prevention of developmental disabilities. The Coalition offers schools access to FREE professional Speakers' Bureau. Topics available presentations include:

Causes of Developmental Disabilities
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
FASD in the Classroom-Understanding Invisible Disabilities
Lead poisoning
Environmental Contaminants and DD
Traumatic Brain Injury and Other Unintentional Injury Risk
Nutrition

If you or your schools are interested in scheduling a presentation, please contact us at:

The Arc of New Jersey
985 Livingston Avenue
North Brunswick, NJ 08902
T 732.246.2525 x23
F 732.214.1834 www.arcnj.org

Spring Edition of NASPE's Coaches Toolbox

AAHPERD, Reston, VA

Check out the Spring Edition of NASPE's Coaches Toolbox sponsored by the Refuel with Chocolate Milk Campaign. The goal of NASPE's Coaches Toolbox is to provide coaches with current and credible resources to improve professional practice to make sport more enjoyable for all involved. We added a new section this edition; Coaching Athletes with Disabilities. The toolbox was compiled in partnership with expert organizations including the USOC, ACSM, NSCA, NATA,and more!

Ideas for Promoting a Quality Physical Education, Physical Activity, or Youth Sports Program

April Toolbox Available...

NASPE's Teacher Toolbox delivers the best online tools and ideas for your quality physical education, physical activity and youth sport programs - and it's free! We added an RSS feed to the homepage of Teacher Toolbox, subscribe to the feed to find out when a new Teacher Toolbox comes out!

Let's Move in School NJ SPECIAL OFFER!

We encourage all NJAHPERD members to register their school as a Let's Move in School advocate. It's free and all schools are recognized on the NJAHPERD website!

Increase Physical Activity in YOUR School

School LMIS Toolkits are FREE to NJAHPERD members registering their school during May 1-7! The kit offers tools and resources for building a culture that supports daily physical activity as part of the learning environment for all students and teachers. They are available in limited quantities, so act fast and register your school now and send us NJAHPERD email that you have registered with AAHPERD. The kit is a $15 value! The toolkit includes:

Let's Move in School DVD
Active Kids and Academic Performance brochure
Physical Activity Guide for a Healthy School
101 Tips for Implementing a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program
Healthy Kids = Active Learning brochure

Join AAHPERD the second Wednesday of every month for a webinar about what's new with Let's Move in School, resources to use in your school, and real life examples from those in the field. Webinar schedule Archived webinars are also available.

Begin planning your special events for National Physical Education and Sport Week-May 1-7

Let's Move in School - Superintendents and school boards toolkit

AAHPERD Share

The Let's Move in School - Superintendents and School Boards Toolkit is designed to assess the level of physical education/activity currently provided by the school district. Superintendents and school board members are encouraged to use the toolkit to create awareness of the benefits of a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program and offers steps to increase physical education/activity in your district. The ultimate goal is to ensure that students participate in 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily, are fully physically educated, and well-equipped for a lifetime of physical activity. MORE

Free Activity Guides

From Flaghouse...

Browse the growing list of activity guides available in PDF format for easy download!

Click here!

Physical Education and Health Videos

Over 700 Videos to view

From sports and games to fitness and advocacy... Read more...

Alliance for a Healthier Generation

Become a Healthier School...it's FREE!

If you are interested in becoming a Healthier School...it's FREE...find out more here. The resources are amazing to assist you to create a healthy school environment. Our Hands on Health Conference is in collaboration with the AHG and we encourage all our members to register to become a healthy school!

Contact our NJ Relationship Manager, Davida Gurstelle at Phone: 646.884.0608 Fax: 973.701.0215

davida.gurstelle@healthiergeneration

Davida will be presenting a session at Hands on Health and distributing free resources to participants interested in registering to become a Healthy School!

Join Comprehensive Health Education Network Listserv

Get the Latest Updates...

CHEN is the Comprehensive Health Education Network, a listserv hosted by
the American School Health Association (ASHA). CHEN is a convenient,
easy-to-use way to announce and receive important news. MORE

Join the NJ Department of Education Listserv

Get the Latest Updates...

Join the NJ Department of Education listserv here for the latest updates and resources from Brendan O'Reilly, Coordinator of Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

Resources to Teach Driver Education

Many new resources are available to teach Driver Education so take advantage of them!

Teen Driving Toolkit

GRANTS & CONTESTS

Fitnessgram Funding for YOUR school!

Are you interested in implementing Fitnessgram in your school, but don't have funding? The NJ Council of Physical Fitness and Sports has provided $25,000 to NJAHPERD in funding for Fitnessgram implementation in schools.Grants are competitive and priority will be given to high need schools. Please contact the NJAHPERD office for more information. Application

State Farm Youth Advisory Board Grants

Deadline: May 4, 2012

The State Farm Youth Advisory Board is currently accepting applications for service-learning projects between $25,000 and $100,000 that are designed to create sustainable change in local communities across the United States and Canada. Applying organizations must be a public K-12, charter, or higher education institution; non-profit organizations are also eligible if they are able to demonstrate how they plan to impact student achievement within the public K-12 curriculum. Projects must address the root cause of the following issue areas: Access to Higher Education / Closing the Achievement Gap; Financial Literacy; Community Safety and Natural Disaster Preparedness; Social Health & Wellness Issues; and Environmental Responsibility. MORE

2012 ING Run For Something Better School Awards Program...$2,500 Grants

Submission Deadline: May 15, 2012

ING Applications are now available online. The 2012 ING Run For Something Better School Awards Program will provide a minimum of fifty (50) up to $2,500 grants to schools that desire to establish or expand upon an existing school-based running program. Programs must target K-8th grade students and be a minimum of eight (8) weeks. MORE

2012 School Garden of the Year Award

Deadline: June 1, 2012

Open to all schools in New Jersey, pre-K - 12, the award will provide a minimum of $1,500 to support school garden activities in the Garden State. To be eligible, schools must have a school garden in place during the 2011 - 2012 school year.

The winning school and two runners-up will be announced in September. MORE

Apply now.

More opportunities...

Play Possible Grant from Kompan, up to $50,000

Schools trying to raise funds for a new playground may be closer to their goal than they realize. KOMPAN, Inc. has announced a new matching funds grant program called PLAY POSSIBLE! that provides playground grants of up to $50,000 in in-kind product donations to qualifying projects and schools. MORE

Over 100 Available Grants

Additional Grants Available!

New grants and FREE Grant Writing Service!

Dollar General Literacy Foundation

Deadline: May 16th
Provides funding to schools, public libraries, and nonprofit organizations to help students who are below grade level or experiencing difficulty reading.