GENESEE COUNTY – Through the month of March, the 6th Annual Commit to Fit Active Schools Challenge offered an opportunity for all 21 Genesee County school districts to participate and promote physical activity among students Pre-K through Grade 12.
This year, providing space for students to be active has been more important than ever. “We know that kids that are active during the day tend to perform better, academically. The Commit to Fit Active Schools Challenge encourages kids to get moving and win prizes for their school while doing so,” stated Taylor Williams, Project Manager. “Research has shown time and time again that children who are active during the day have better attention levels during school, get higher grades, and are more in control of their emotions. These effects have been particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic when students are working in constantly evolving and challenging circumstances.”
In previous challenge years, more than 35 schools from 15 districts across Genesee County participated in the Active Schools Challenge, with nearly 5,000 area students logging more than 4.7 million minutes of physical activity during the month of March.
“The Active Schools Challenge is a fun way for schools to increase the physical activity of all their students. We know that physical activity can improve the health, wellness and achievement of our young people. We are proud to partner with the Greater Flint Health Coalition on this important initiative,” stated Dr. Lisa Hagel, Superintendent. This year marks the sixth year of this initiative, an important milestone for helping Genesee County kids be as healthy as they can be.
During the Challenge, students and teachers from participating schools tracked their physical activity with a goal of being active for 30 minutes each day. The schools with the highest average minutes of physical activity during the month of March received a monetary donation for use toward health and wellness programming. This year, over $5,000 was awarded to schools, while students who reached the daily physical activity goal were also entered into a raffle drawing to win prizes such as gift cards, skating passes and more.
This year’s Challenge was sponsored by the Ascension Genesys Health Club, Greater Flint Health Coalition, Dort Financial Credit Union, Genesee Health Plan Community Health Workers, Health Alliance Plan, Marketing Solutions, Meijer and Oxford Bank. For further information including health tips, free local fitness and nutrition classes and to sync your wearable device, visit commit2fit.com and learn how to join the Flint & Genesee County MOVEment!
About Commit to Fit
Commit to Fit is an ongoing health behavior improvement initiative that seeks to mobilize employers, schools, residents, neighborhoods, churches, and the community at-large to support and utilize a common message focused on healthier, more active lifestyles. The healthy messages of Commit to Fit are reinforced throughout the community, across settings where residents live, learn, work, and play. Available resources include free fitness and nutrition education classes, materials and tools for individuals and employers to promote and maintain good health, and an online health behavior tracking website to monitor your health and wellness goals. For more info, visit commit2fit.com.
About Greater Flint Health Coalition
Established in 1996, the Greater Flint Health Coalition is a Flint, Michigan-based non-profit organization and partnership between Genesee County hospitals, physicians, businesses, insurers, public health professionals, policymakers, government leaders, educators, organized labor, community organizations, residents, and all those concerned about the well-being of our community and its residents. The two-fold mission of the Greater Flint Health Coalition is to improve the health status of Genesee County residents and the quality and cost effectiveness of the health care system in the community. For more info, visit gfhc.org.
