Schumer Announces Nearly $670,000 Coming To School Districts In Western NY

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that a total of $669,873 has been awarded to two school districts in the Finger Lakes region under the Department of Education's Carol M. White Physical Education Program. Lyndonville Central School District in Orleans County will receive $416,457 and Alexander Central School District in Genesee County will receive $253,416. Both school districts will use the funds to promote physical education programs for students in grades kindergarten through 12th. Earlier this month, Senator Schumer wrote a letter to the Department of Education on behalf of the Lyndonville Central School District urging them to approve the grant application.

"This is great news for schools in the Orleans and Genesee Counties," Schumer said. "Given the explosion in childhood obesity, physical education is an important, yet often overlooked, part of a well rounded education. This funding will help our schools teach kids the importance of good nutrition and leading a healthy and active lifestyle."

The Alexander Central School District will use federal funds to help students meet state physical education standards by expanding physical education programming and overhauling the current curriculum. The Lyndonville Central School District will use federal funds to will implement a threeyear overhaul of its physical education program. Planned changes include restructuring the student and staff fitness and wellness services and developing a formal intervention program at the middle and high school levels. The redesigned program will also emphasize the integration of physical education with core academic subjects to offer a holistic approach to health and learning.

The Department of Education's Carol M. White Physical Education Program provides funds to community organizations and educational organizations to initiate, expand, and improve physical education programs for K12 students in order to make progress toward meeting State standards for physical education by providing funds for equipment, support, and teacher training. Recipients of Carol M. White Physical Education Program grants must design and implement a program that clearly aligns to state standards for physical education and provide for one or more of the following: fitness education and assessment to help students understand, improve, or maintain physical wellbeing; instruction in motor skills and physical activities designed to enhance physical, mental, social, or emotional development; development of, and instruction in, cognitive concepts about motor skills and physical fitness that support healthy lifestyles; opportunities to develop positive social and cooperative skills through physical activity participation; instruction in healthy eating habits and good nutrition; and opportunities for professional development for physical education teachers to stay abreast of current research, issues, and trends in physical education.