Fitness is Fun!
March 2008

The National President's Challenge is coming!
A HEALTHIER NATION: “IT’S EVERYONE’S CHALLENGE!!!”
The PCPFS will be launching the National President’s Challenge on March 20, 2008. This physical activity challenge will help Americans of all ages “Spring into Action” by utilizing the President’s Challenge web site to track physical activity – ‘A Healthier Nation: It’s Everyone’s Challenge!” For information on how individuals, families, organizations, schools, businesses, and industries can make their state the most active and have their Governor recognized as one of the top five, just log on and check your state stats on the US map. Check your state stats daily, weekly, and encourage all to participate. The Challenge will take place from March 20th to May 15th. To get ready to use banners, articles, fact sheets, and more, go to http://www.presidentschallenge.org/national_challenge/.

First Science Partnership Session at AAHPERD Convention: 1958-2008 – Fifty Years of Youth Fitness Testing
An exciting program is scheduled for Friday, April 11th at the 2008 American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance National Convention and Exposition in Fort Worth, Texas. This year marks the 50th anniversary of publication of the AAHPER Youth Fitness Test which has played a significant role in youth fitness assessment up to the present  time. Hosted by the AAHPERD Research Consortium, this program is being presented through the AAHPERD/PCPFS Science Partnership and is open to all registered attendees. The session will include a research-based overview of youth fitness testing for the past half century, focusing on test development, batteries, decisions, items, and cultural and scientific influences. Presenters include representatives from AAHPERD, the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, and The Cooper Institute. Past national leaders, scientists, researchers, developers, teachers, and users of youth fitness assessments are invited to participate in the reflections and open discussion of youth physical fitness testing history in the U.S. Complete convention registration and program information is available at: www.aahperd.org/convention.

U.S. ED's OSDFS Announces FY 2008 Carol M. White P.E. Program Competition
The Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools (OSDFS) is pleased to announce that Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) grant competition opened on February 15, 2008 and closes on March 24, 2008.

PEP grants support the initiation, expansion, and improvement of physical education programs (which may include after-school programs) in order to make progress toward meeting state standards for physical education for kindergarten through 12th grade students by (1) providing equipment and support to enable students to participate actively in physical education activities; and (2) providing funds for staff and teacher training and education.

For the first time in FY 2008, applicants are invited to undertake a self-assessment process utilizing the Physical Activity Programs and Nutrition Services modules of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's School Health Index (SHI). Additional information about this invitational priority, as well as resources can be found in the application package.

Eligible applicants are local educational agencies and community-based organizations. Grantees with current and active grants are not eligible to apply for a grant in FY 2008. You can access the application at: http://www.grants.gov.

For more information, please contact: Dana Carr, Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools; (phone) 202-708-5939, (email) dana.carr@ed.gov.

Join PCPFS and Celebrate May’s National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
With the warmer temperatures, May provides an opportune time to encourage individuals to get out and get moving. The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS) invites organizations to help spread the message about the importance of physical activity and sports throughout May in celebration of National Physical Fitness and Sports month.

NIKE Let Me Play Fund Essay Contest
Deadline for Applications: March 31, 2008.
The Nike Let Me Play Fund provides resources for female sport teams-from new playing fields and uniforms, to new score clocks and travel costs to and from tournaments. Whatever it may be to make a team a success-Nike wants to hear about it. Anyone can apply; male, female, coaches, parents, administrators. You must be 13 years or older as of September 17, 2007. You must be affiliated with a nonprofit team or organization.  The maximum award is $5,000 and it may be distributed in cash, equipment and/ or Nike product. Awards may only be used for the project you submit. To learn more visit: http://www.letmeplay.com/2008/02/apply-to-receive-money-from-the-let-me-play-fund/.

McDonald's Go Active! Academic Awards-Philadelphia Area
Deadline for Applications: April 1, 2008.
McDonald's Restaurants of the Greater Philadelphia Region, Inc. have announced the launch of the 2008 McDonald's Go Active! Academic Awards program, which will award grants of $1,000 each to up to fifteen schools in the Greater Philadelphia Region selected for unique educational programs that encourage fifth - through eighth-grade students to lead balanced, active lives. The goal of the program is to reward local schools and teachers for creative educational programs that demonstrate an original approach to enhancing middle school students' physical fitness, nutrition awareness, and/or health education. Applications will be judged on creativity, educational content and program cost-effectiveness. Any teacher, principal, or administrator employed by an eligible elementary/middle school may apply. To read more visit: http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/rfp_item.jhtml;jsessionid=YVNT03MPWJA0TLAQBQ4CGXD5AAAACI2F?id=202500038.

Saucony Run For Good Foundation Offers Funding for Children's Running Programs
Deadline for Applications: June 13, 2008.
Established to help end childhood obesity by providing financial support to nonprofits across the United States that support children's running and fitness programs, the Saucony Run For Good Foundation is accepting applications for its grant program. Saucony, Inc., a subsidiary of the Stride Rite Corporation, is a global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel. The grants are open to nonprofit organizations that initiate and support running and fitness programs for kids. Eligible applicants are programs whose participants are 18 years of age or less, have 501(c)(3) status, and can demonstrate that their program positively impacts the lives of participants through their increased participation in running. The foundation has two grant cycles per year, with up to seven awards granted each cycle. Grants are in amounts up to a maximum of $10,000 each. To learn more visit: http://www.sauconyrunforgood.com/.

Women's Sports Foundation Seeks Applicants for Ambassador Team Awards
Deadline for Applications: July 18, 2008.
The Women's Sports Foundation's Ambassador Team Awards program will provide a total of $50,000 in grants to teams of female high school students that demonstrate leadership in their communities by inspiring girls to get involved in sports and physical activity. Teams will create their own projects designed to get girls in their local community to be physically active. To be eligible, teams must be school, amateur, community, and/or nonprofit affiliated teams whose members are all of the following: female; enrolled in 9th-12th grade; and residents of the United States, its territories, or protectorates. Twenty teams will be awarded $2,500 each. Team awards are to be used for equipment, apparel, travel, or training costs for the team. Prizes will be made payable to the school, nonprofit institution, or 501(c)(3) organization. To read more please visit: http://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/cgi-bin/iowa/funding/featured.html?record=34.

School Health Policies and Program Study 2006
The Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) published in the Journal of School Health the findings of the School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS) 2006. SHPPS 2006 is the largest and most comprehensive assessment of America’s school health policies and programs to date. This report describes key school health policies and practices across all eight school health program components: health education, physical education and activity, health services, mental health and social services, nutritional services, healthy and safe school environment, faculty and staff health promotion, and family and community involvement. To read more on the use of the President’s Challenge and the Fitnessgram in this report please visit: http://www.cdc.gov/SHPPS.

Healthy People 2020
PCPFS, as co-lead with the CDC of the Physical Activity and Fitness Objectives of Healthy People 2010 is embarking on the development of a vision and focus for Healthy People 2020. An interactive process, public opinion is welcomed via written and oral comments at regional hearings which will take place this spring in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Fort Worth, DC, and San Francisco. You can view updates and schedules at http://www.healthypeople.gov.

PCPFS Physical Activity & Fitness Research Digest
The PCPFS Fitness Research Digest is published quarterly by the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. The Research Digest began in 1971 by H. Harrison Clark, Ed.D., a research professor of physical education at the University of Oregon. In keeping with H. Harrison Clark’s original intent, the editorial team does its best to identify and produce Digests that are current to the fields of physical activity, fitness, physical education, and sports. To subscribe to the Digest please visit http://www.presidentschallenge.org/misc/news_research/research_digest.aspx.

Acting U.S. Surgeon General Galson and NIH Director Zerhouni Announcement
Acting U.S. Surgeon General Galson and NIH Director Zerhouni announced expanded efforts to address the nationwide childhood overweight epidemic. A new partnership between the National Institutes of Health’s We Can! (Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity and Nutrition (program and the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) will expand efforts to address the epidemic of childhood obesity. In addition, three major cities – Boston, Pittsburgh, and Las Vegas – will be designated as We Can! Cities. We Can!, a science-based national education program to help children ages 8-13 stay at a healthy weight, is now being implemented in more than 450 community sites in 44 states. We Can! is a science-based national education program developed by the National Institutes of Health – a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – to help children ages 8-13 stay at a healthy weight through improving food choices, increasing physical activity, and reducing screen time.

For more information, visit: http://wecan.nhlbi.nih.gov or call toll-free 866-35-WE CAN (866-359-3226).