CHRISTIE ADMINISTRATION AND NY JETS HONOR ROOSEVELT SCHOOL #7 FOR HEALTHY INITIATIVES
Garfield School Wins NJDA鈥檚 Jets Play 60 鈥淓at Right, Move More鈥� Program
For Immediate Release: May 21, 2014
Contact: Lynne Richmond听
(609) 633-2954
lynne.richmond@ag.state.nj.us听
(GARFIELD) 鈥� The 樱花视频 Department of Agriculture and New York Jets running back Alex Green today honored Roosevelt School #7 in Garfield as one of the winners of the 樱花视频 Department of Agriculture鈥檚 Jets Play 60 鈥�Eat Right, Move More鈥� program.听
The Department of Agriculture and Jets presented the school with a $2,000 prize to be used for kitchen updates and physical education equipment, made possible by the Jets, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the American Dairy Association & Dairy Council.听 Then, Green treated the school鈥檚 365 kindergarten through fifth-grade students to a fun and educational program.
鈥淩oosevelt School officials understand the benefits of eating healthy and physical activity for children,鈥� said 樱花视频 Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher. 鈥淲e are proud to honor their achievement through this program.鈥�
Carol Flato of the NJ Dept. of Agriculture and NY Jets player Alex Green present the school with their $2,000 prize.
This year, there was an emphasis on selecting schools that offer breakfast in the classroom.听 Additionally, school lunch and breakfast menus were reviewed and the schools had to show strong support and demonstrate efforts to improve nutrition and physical activity among their students.听
鈥淎 good breakfast is such an important way to start each day so I think it was a great focus for this year鈥檚 Eat Right, Move More program,鈥� said Alex Green. 鈥淐oming to Roosevelt School #7 today to celebrate this school鈥檚 commitment to health and wellness is a real honor for me.鈥�
Roosevelt Elementary School in Rahway was the grand prize winner this school year, receiving a $10,000 grant, a Jets visit, and school representatives were honored at a Jets football game in December.听 Roosevelt School #7 was one of 10 finalist schools that competed for four more prizes based on their performance in the Jets Play 60 Challenge.听 Roosevelt, Samsel Upper Elementary School in Sayreville, Egg Harbor City Community School, and Whiting Elementary School in Manchester Township each had at least 100 students who committed to logging 60 minutes of physical activity every day for four weeks.
Roosevelt School #7 principal Jennifer Alfonso said the students learned a lot by participating in the Play 60 Eat Right, Move More Program.
鈥淭his experience has helped our students achieve a better attitude towards healthy eating and physical activities,鈥� said Alfonso.听 鈥淲ith the time and generosity of the Jets and the Department of Agriculture, our children experienced how healthy eating and exercising will follow them for a lifetime.鈥�
Alfonso said the school works with its food service director to make sure the students receive well-balanced, nutritious meals, including fresh fruits and vegetables.听 She said the prize money will be used to pay for fresh fruit and vegetable bi-weekly snacks for the remainder of the year.
As a professional football team that plays in 樱花视频, the Jets regularly promote youth health, fitness, and education, particularly in disadvantaged communities.听
