The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and Gov. Nathan Deal’s SHAPE Initiative are pleased to announce that 21 schools have received a total of $87,000 in Georgia SHAPE school grants. The schools include elementary, middle and high schools throughout the state.
Twelve schools received up to $5,000 each to implement or improve physical activity and nutrition plans. Those plans are determined by health-related school assessments that prioritize the schools’ needs. The money will also be used for training and technical assistance. Nine schools received up to $3,000 each to develop physical activity and nutrition plans.
Research has shown that children are much more physically active if they attend schools that schedule, promote and supervise opportunities such as structured recess, short classroom-based activity breaks and before and after-school activities. Georgia currently ranks third in the nation for overweight and obese children.
“These grants will go a long way toward improving childhood fitness and nutrition,” said Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D., commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health. “We must teach our children the importance of physical activity and the lifelong benefits of healthy eating, lessons they hopefully will carry with them throughout their lives.”
Congratulations to the schools selected as Georgia SHAPE Grant Recipients:
Implementation Grants
- Jackson Road Elementary (Griffin)
- Chestnut Charter Elementary (Dunwoody)
- Berkmar Middle (Lawrenceville)
- Parkside Elementary (Atlanta)
- Largo Tibet Elementary (Savannah)
- Southside Middle (Albany)
- Wheeless Road Elementary (Augusta)
- Chestnut Mountain Creative School of Inquiry (K-5) (Flowery Branch)
- Keheley Elementary (Marietta)
- North Hall Middle (Gainesville)
- Black's Mill Elementary (Dawsonville)
- West Bainbridge Elementary (Bainbridge)
Planning Grants:
- Newton County Theme School (K-7) (Newton City)
- Valley Point Elementary (Dalton)
- Evansdale Elementary(Doraville)
- Carrollton Elementary (Carrollton)
- Bells Ferry Elementary (Marietta)
- Lewis Frasier Middle (Hinesville)
- Carrollton High (Carrollton)
- The Intown Academy (K-8) (Atlanta)
- Hancock Central Middle (Hancock City)
