In Action
Keep Gym in School 2009 kicks off in New York City
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.
NFL Network Analyst Rich Eisen and New York Giants Cornerback Corey Webster served as the hosts for the pep rally and minicamp that also featured dignitaries including the First Lady of New York Michelle Paige Paterson, New York City Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott, Verizon President of NY and CT Andres Irlando, and NYC Department of Education Deputy Chancellor Santi Taveras.
In a special surprise for students, Webster also brought Giants defensive players Terrell Thomas, Dave Tollefson, C.C. Brown, Ramses Barden, Sha'reff Rashad and Vince Anderson who all participated in the event.
Students, faculty, and guests gathered in the gymnasium to recognize the importance of fitness as an essential part of every child's complete education. Students waved Giants pennants and NFL Network pom poms as the band played and cheerleaders performed high-flying stunts and cheers.
After the pep rally, the festivities moved out on to the field, where Corey and the rest of the Giants led students in a full stretch before rotating through all of the 8 stations – each student wondering if he/she would be able to work hard enough to make it to the NFL Draft in April 2010.
Verizon FiOS, The New York Giants and Corey Webster were happy to join with NFL Network's Keep Gym in School program to get students excited about a lifetime of fitness.
Congratulations P.S. 126!
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!
