Students at three New Castle County schools have a new space to stay in shape and fight childhood obesity.
A.I. duPont Middle School, Bancroft Elementary School and McCullough Middle School are opening state-of-the-art centers this week.
They were built with $100,000 grants from National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils. The foundation in the process of awarding grants in all 50 states to schools already promoting physical activity and good nutrition.
Red Clay School District Superintendent Merv Daugherty says the fitness center at A.I duPont Middle school is a great addition to other health conscious moves made by the district.
“We’ve changed all of our food menus, we offer full P.E. in our schools. We even have programs after school for fitness for our children who want more. Our teachers are involved in the wellness campaign of this school, through Nemours, where they take time in the morning and in the afternoon to make sure that kids get additional exercises," said Daugherty.
Governor Markell joined fitness personality and Governors’ Fitness Councils chair Jake Steinfeld officially opened the centers A.I. duPont Middle School and Bancroft Elementary Wednesday.
Each fitness center includes strength training, cardio fitness, and interactive exercise video games.
Daugherty says the center at A.I duPont Middle School will see constant use.
“All of our PE courses during the day will rotate through [the center]. After school, through our student ambassadors after school fitness program, it will be used to benefit the children that want to stay after. Our kids in sports will use it for training," said Daugherty. "So, we look at it as every kid, every child in this school will go through this center.”
Governor Markell joined fitness personality and Governors’ Fitness Councils chair Jake Steinfeld officially opened the centers A.I. duPont Middle School and Bancroft Elementary this morning. The center at McCullough Middle School holds its grand opening Thursday.
