2017 May Board Book

Media Contacts: Jennifer Giambroni CMAB jgiambroni@cmab.net (209) 690-8244

Christina Marion Fuel Up to Play 60 Christina.Marion@dairy.org (847) 627-3207

Madera Unified School District Receives $44,000 Grant in Support of Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Funding from Spanish-language version of Fuel Up to Play 60 Assists School Wellness Programs at 11 Area Schools Tracy, Calif. – April 3, 2017 – Today, Madera Unified School District received a $44,000 grant from GENYOUth through Fuel Up to Play 60 en español, an evolution of its national flagship program that encourages communities nationwide to live healthier lifestyles through good nutrition and physical activity. The funding will support the implementation of Fuel Up to Play 60 healthy eating and physical activity initiatives at 11 district schools. Fuel Up to Play 60, a program founded by the National Football League (NFL) and National Dairy Council (NDC), and funded locally by dairy farm families, is designed to engage and empower youth to take action for their own health by implementing long-term, positive nutrition and physical activity changes for themselves, their schools and their communities. Studies show that physical fitness may benefit brain health and academic performance, suggesting active kids may do better. i However, only 1 in 3 kids are active every day, ii potentially leaving many at a disadvantage inside and outside of the classroom. “Madera Unified is honored and excited to be awarded the Fuel Up to Play 60 grant,” said Marty Bitter, Director of Athletics for Madera Unified School District. “Madera Unified believes that active, healthy students increase student achievement, student attendance and being ready to learn. We are thankful to California dairy farmers, the NFL and NDC for their continued commitment to building healthier more active students and healthier families and communities.” The en español grant means students in the Madera Unified School District will join the 13 million students who are eating healthier, 16 million students who are being more active and 130,000 adults who are enrolled and empowering youth in the United States through one national program – Fuel Up to Play 60 iii (FUTP 60).