 ASPIRA Haugan Middle
School students and staff pose with celebrities Jeff Sanders (former Chicago
Bulls "Forward"), Nolan Lane (Baseball player for the Cleveland Indians), and
singer Reva Grant at the October 28, 2008 ASPIRA Haugan "Community Unity
Day" event.
FOR RELEASE:
July 31, 2009
Contact:
MariBeth
Welch
(773) 252-0970 x135
As a result of a $396,997 Carol M. White Physical Education Program
(PEP) grant award announced July 13 by the U.S. Department of Education, ASPIRA Charter
School youth will have increased
access to physical education programs and instruction on nutrition and healthy
eating. Research data show that Latino
youths suffer disproportionately from obesity; 38 percent of Mexican-American children and adolescents are overweight
or obese-more than whites or African Americans. The study, published in the June
2009 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, was led
by Baylor College of Medicine researcher Dr. Nancy Butte, who is a member of
the Salud America! National Advisory Committee.
The Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) grant will
provide ASPIRA of Illinois Charter School, in partnership with the Northeastern
Illinois University Chicago Teacher's Center, with funds to initiate, expand
and improve physical education programs for ASPIRA students grades 6-12 at its
four charter school campuses. "Physical
activity and healthy eating habits are as important as studying hard in
school," U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said. "The Department of
Education will be doing more to make this connection to students and adults,
and to educate our children in ways that can maintain good health."
The Physical Education
Program grant awards can be used to provide equipment and support for students
to participate actively in physical education activities, as well as for staff
and teacher training and education. The
ASPIRA Illinois grant, which will use the funds to train staff and set up
school fitness centers and "challenge courses" at ASPIRA's four charter school
campuses, will encourage daily physical exercise, healthy nutrition, and the building
of life-long wholesome eating and fitness habits.
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