Healthy Communities of Clinton County grants combine physical activity and learning

“The goal is to increase the physical activity moments during the school day,” said HCCC Director of Operations Lorra Archibald.

Healthy Communities sought out the schools to help match programs initiated at Frankfort and Rossville schools.

“Because Clinton Prairie and Clinton Central are not communities where kids can safely walk to school, we wanted a way to increase activities in those two schools,” Archibald said.

The schools will be sharing a $15,000 grant to implement the SPARK curriculum. The program will help boost healthy initiatives in physical education and other classes. Clinton Central schools will be receiving the majority of the money and equipment provided by the grants.

The other large part of the grant will be purchasing 26 stationary bikes and other physical equipment. The goal of the grant will be to help students release energy and restlessness built up from long periods of sitting.

“I’m looking forward to the ability for each different type of learners to be served,” said Clinton Central Dean of Students Jeremy Rodibaugh. “I’m excited for the ability to hopefully bring the fun and excitement into learning through various other strategies.”

Clinton Central Elementary will also be implementing Playworks, a program that takes a holistic look at recess and structured playtime. The Playworks grant is for $5,000. The program will look to train schools and youth organizations on how to effectively structure this time to make it inclusive.