Pilot Knob School Receives Wellness Grant

Editor's Note: The following is a press release from Pilot Knob STEM Magnet School.

in Eagan has been chosen to receive $4,000 to support wellness initiatives as part of the Fuel Up To Play 60 program.

The funds for the Fuel Up to Play 60 program are provided by the Midwest Dairy Council to provide support for a variety of activities and tools that support school wellness initiatives. Fuel Up to Play 60 encourages youth to eat nutrient-rich foods and by physically active for at least 60 minutes every day. The school used the funds to purchase new equipment for the school, including a new milk cooler, a smoothie machine, hula-hoops, jump ropes and snowshoes.

Pilot Knob is also using the grant funding to hold a Family Wellness Night on Thursday, Jan. 26. The funds from the grant will be used to provide healthy snacks, prizes and the supplies needed for the event.

As part of the Wellness Night, school officials also introduce some of the new items purchased by the grant, including the smoothie machine and snowshoes. Attendees will be able to try smoothies made from the new smoothie machine and students will be able to try the snowshoes so they can become familiar with them and use them during recess.

In addition, the Family Wellness Night will include a Zumba demonstration, Taekwondo demonstration, guest speaker discussing the Miracle Kids Triathlon, learning/activity stations, and an obstacle course.

“This program benefits the students at Pilot Knob by promoting healthy eating at school and at home as well as the importance of staying physically active for sixty minutes every day,” said Roberta Tichy, Health Paraprofessional and Wellness Coordinator at Pilot Knob.

“This is happening with our new milk cooler, smoothie machine and recess equipment purchased with the grant money.”