In Action
NFL Network has recognized the long term dangers of the childhood obesity crisis and is dedicated to addressing this problem directly. With the support of local NFL teams and other program partners, Keep Gym in School is raising awareness about the need for quality Physical Education across the country.
Keep Gym in School is dedicated to bringing genuine help to Physical Education programs by providing grants that help schools refurbish playing fields, gyms and fitness rooms and purchase desperately needed new equipment. We're helping more kids get greater access to quality PE every week and fighting childhood obesity in schools every day.
Check out the stories below from the 2009-2010 Keep Gym in School program where NFL Network brought real excitement and real change to schools across the country and made a lasting and profound impact on their Physical Education programs.
Grant Recipients
Roosevelt Middle School
Oakland, CA
A huge pep rally and minicamp held in Oakland earlier this week helped to successfully mark the end of Keep Gym In School’s 2010 run of on-site visits. NFL Network, in partnership with Comcast and the Oakland Raiders, celebrated the “adoption” of Roosevelt Middle School during the event, awarding a $25,000 grant to the principal. Roosevelt is using the grant to upgrade and improve the school’s physical education facilities including converting a storage closet into a new dance and fitness room as well as purchase new equipment, including cardio bikes, jump-ropes and basketballs.
Williams Preparatory Academy
Chicago, IL
Keep Gym In School 2010 continues to pick up steam, thanks to a minicamp and pep rally held at the fourth stop in Chicago. With Comcast and members of the Chicago Bears on hand to partake in the festivities, NFL Network formally adopted Williams Preparatory Academy, awarding the school a $50,000 physical education grant that will fund a state-of-the-art fitness room and enhancements to its current gymnasium.
Arsenal Middle School
Pittsburgh, PA
Arsenal Middle School was the latest school to receive a $25,000 Keep Gym in School physical education grant. NFL Network along with Comcast and the Pittsburgh Steelers were in Pittsburgh, PA to award Arsenal $25,000 to convert their auxiliary gym into a state-of-the-art fitness center.
Kepner Middle School
Denver, Colorado
Year three of Keep Gym in School is off to great start after the first exciting pep rally and minicamp event in Denver. In partnership with Comcast and the Denver Broncos, NFL Network adopted Kepner Middle School and donated $25,000 in refurbishments and new equipment. The grant money provided the necessary funding for physical education enhancements including state-of-the-art indoor climbing walls as well as new football and physical education equipment.
Camp Creek Middle School
Atlanta, GA
Keep Gym in School 2010 is well underway after the second exciting pep rally and minicamp event in Atlanta. NFL Network adopted Camp Creek Middle School for a $25,000 physical education grant. Along with Comcast and the Atlanta Falcons, NFL Network provided funding to update and improve PE equipment and offerings, as well as to convert a classroom into a brand new fitness center.
Pickering Middle School
Lynn, Massachusetts
New England was the latest stop for the 2009 Keep Gym in School program, bringing excitement and $50,000 in grant money to Pickering Middle School. With partners the New England Patriots and Verizon FiOS TV, NFL Network celebrated the adoption and refurbishments in Lynn, MA with a high-energy pep rally and minicamp. The grant money provided funding to convert a run-down locker room into a state-of-the-art fitness room with new cardio and weight training equipment. The grant was also used to provide additional Physical Education equipment and inspired the City of Lynn to provide funds to renovate the gymnasium including refinishing the gym floor. With the improvements, more students will have more access to better facilities and more physical activity classes – including a dedicated weight training and exercise class to educate students on proper technique.
Corkran Middle School
Glen Burnie, Maryland
Keep Gym in School arrived in Glen Burnie, MD on Tuesday September 29th to celebrate NFL Network’s adoption of Corkran Middle School with the support of Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, Verizon FiOS TV and the Baltimore Ravens. Ravens players, Verizon FiOS executives, and representatives of NFL Network joined with local officials to unveil $50,000 in refurbishments including a climbing wall, cardio machines, portable games and a major resurfacing project for tennis and basketball courts. The event also served as a kickoff for a year of fitness with the Keep Gym in School fitness program minicamp – where students participated in NFL combine-style events and drills.
P.S. 126 Manhattan Academy of Technology
New York, New York
Kicking off another 'giant' year for Keep Gym in School, the NFL Network, in partnership with the New York Giants and Verizon FiOS TV, adopted P.S. 126 Manhattan Academy of Technology in New York City. P.S. 126 was first school in 2009 to host a Keep Gym in School pep rally and minicamp event to celebrate the refurbishments and new equipment provided by NFL Network's $50,000 Keep Gym in School Grant. The grant money provided the needed funding for refurbishments including resurfacing and relining the gymnasium floor, creating a dedicated fitness room with state-of-the-art treadmills and exercise bikes, and supplying much needed equipment for all of the school's Physical Education classes.
Edgar Allen Poe Middle School
Annandale, Virginia
Keep Gym in School got a terrific kick-off at Poe Middle School on Oct. 14. The day started with a pep rally and the unveiling of Poe's renovated athletic fields and new fitness center, running track, and PE equipment.
Jardine Middle School
Wichita, Kansas
NFL Network hosted its second Keep Gym in Schoolminicamp event at Jardine Middle School in Wichita on Nov. 7 to celebrate its field refurbishments, new track, and fitness equipment.
Truman Middle School
Marrero, Louisiana
On November 11th, Truman Middle School became the third school to celebrate a Keep Gym in Schoolgrant, bringing students, teachers, and guests together to recognize the importance of physical education in America's schools.
Bethune School
Phoenix, Arizona
Bethune School in Phoenix United School District #1 was the site for the latest stop on the Keep Gym in School minicamp tour across the country. Students, teachers and guests gathered to announce the plans for the grant and to get kids excited about physical education.
To further the mission of supporting physical education in America’s schools and establishing healthy lifestyles, NFL Network, with its partner NASPE, is working to educate the U.S. Congress and Executive Branch on the following legislative priorities:
Florida AHPERD needs your assistance with a national call to action to defeat SB 1644
The State of Florida needs every bit of assistance in contacting Senators to defeat SB 1644, which would eliminate the middle school physical education requirement. We are asking for your support in sending out a "National Call to Action." For more information please click here.
Support the PHYSICAL Act—PE & HE as Core Subjects
Senator Tom Udall has introduced legislation to make physical education and health education core academic subjects within ESEA. S. 3683 would also reauthorize PEP as a stand-alone program, create a new health education grant similar to PEP and make some changes in the Department of Education to emphasize PE and health education. Please contact your Senators and ask them to co-sponsor this important bill. [Take action] Use NASPE's new “PE is an Academic Subject” paper in your advocacy!
Support Physical Education and Health Education in ESEA
Congress has begun the process of reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and your input is critical. Please let your legislators know how important it is to include physical education and health education in the new ESEA. [Take action]
Health Education Advocacy Alert
Support Health Education in our nation's schools and communities by advocating for more federal support. Now is the time to lend your voice to advocate for health education. [Take action]
Support PEP Grant Funding
In an effort to streamline the Department of Education (USDE)'s programs and increase effectiveness, the President's FY 2011 budget contains major changes to the PEP grant program. The Administration proposes to consolidate PEP into a new authority along with 5 other existing programs. [Take action]
Find Your Elected Officials
Click here to locate your elected officials, the executive office, and/or federal agency staff to take ACTION!
