As we enter the new school year, we are excited to announce more details around SHAPE America’s new signature initiatives. These new community and school-based programs will offer more choices for educational fundraising and service-based activities that support effective health and physical education programs.
Over the last few months, members have given us much feedback about future programs — and we listened when you said you want to support worthy causes, but in a fun and simple way. This fall you will have the opportunity to join SHAPE America as it takes its first steps in this new MOVEment!
Virtual Race
Health and physical literacy can be a life-changer for all children. SHAPE America knows that a focus on effective instruction and implementing an evidence-based, standards-based curriculum with measurable objectives for all students has the power to help students live their best lives. It’s a simple, but powerful belief that drives everything we do.
As part of our goal to build 50 Million Strong, SHAPE America is dedicated to giving back to communities in high-need areas across the country. As such, SHAPE America is making the commitment to support 10 eligible schools through the SHAPE America Impact Schools grant program, to help grow and build effective health and physical education programs within their schools.
The SHAPE America Impact Schools grant program will provide much needed funds to schools to enhance health and physical education programs in high-need areas across the nation, while helping teachers continue their studies and build expertise that improves student outcomes.
In the next few weeks, we will launch a community-based virtual race which will give you the opportunity to directly support the development of these critical funding opportunities for HPE programs in high-need areas across the country.
Get your sneakers ready. Our virtual race will start mid-October and culminate the week of Giving Tuesday (November 27)! With this race, you choose your starting line — whether that’s on your treadmill, neighborhood street or nearby school track — and complete the race distance on your own time, at your own pace. Register as an individual or as a team with your friends, colleagues or students. With dedicated educational materials, you can even incorporate the race into your classroom or employee wellness program if that works for you!
School-Based Pilot Program
In January 2019, we will pilot an educational school-based program targeted at the elementary level. The program will be offered on a limited basis during the pilot period, with a national kick-off expected for the 2019-2020 school year. This program will focus on core areas related to health and wellness and will include new standards-based classroom and event resources for teachers. During these pilot tests, a portion of the proceeds will be donated back to participating schools.
SHAPE America will also be working with our state affiliates to pilot, build and grow these programs over the coming year. With both new initiatives, a portion of the funds raised will be used to support both SHAPE America and the state affiliates as we work toward our collective goal of putting all children on the path to health and physical literacy.
Ready to make an impact in your community? In the upcoming weeks, be on the lookout for more about the programs and ways in which you can join our new MOVEment!
Looking to become one of our 10 Impact Schools? The program application portal is now open! Check it out here!
If you have any questions, feel free to email me at ytaji-farouki@shapeamerica.org.
Yasmeen Taji-Farouki
Yasmeen Taji-Farouki is senior manager of Community Initiatives and Social Impact at SHAPE America. She is also the program lead for SHAPE America’s health. moves. minds. program, the new service-learning program that raises funds for schools and teaches students how to thrive physically and emotionally! She can be reached at YTaji-Farouki@shapeamerica.org.
