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Alabaster City Schools Adaptive Playground — See how Alabama schools benefit from Be Healthy School Grants. (Alabaster City Schools)

If you have school-aged kids at home, I’m not the first to tell you that it’s important for them to be active and healthy. But I also know from my friends with kids that it can be easier said than done. Believe me, I understand the lure of the phone or tablet.

But here’s the good news: There are organizations across Alabama dedicated to improving the health and wellness of children—and they’re helping provide tools to make that easier for your kids and busy life, too.

One way is through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama’s Be Healthy School Grant Program. Since the program started in 2012, at least one school in all 67 Alabama counties has received funding.

We wanted to hear how that’s working out in real time, so we spoke to a couple of educators in Shelby and Chilton counties to hear what their schools used the money for.

Healthier People Are Happier People - Bluecross Blueshield Of Alabama

Be Healthy School Grants: by the numbers

What it is: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama’s (BCBSAL) grant program for school-based health + wellness initiatives
Who it’s for: Schools + school boards enrolling Kindergarten through 12th-grade students.
How much: This year, BCBSAL awarded over $339,000 in grants + benefited 19,000 students.
How the money is used: Playground upgrades, adaptive equipment, school gardens + more
Its impact: Since 2012, BCBSAL has awarded over $3.5 million in 378 Be Healthy School Grants statewide, impacting more than 187,000 students across rural, suburban + urban communities.

How Alabama schools are using their grants

Meadow View Elementary has a brand new adaptive playground thanks to a Be Healthy School Grant! (Alabaster City Schools)

Meadow View Elementary School in Alabaster received a Be Healthy School Grant last year. Merry Harper, an occupational therapist for Alabaster City Schools, told me that the grant money was used to install an adaptive playground.

Through a partnership with Shelby County Parks and Rec and Alabaster City Schools, this new playground provides inclusive play opportunities for all students, regardless of their abilities.

“Receiving this grant means that all children at MVES and in the community now have the chance to play and grow together in an inclusive environment.

It supports social interaction, outdoor activity and helps all students get ready to learn by making play accessible to everyone.”
Merry Grace Harper, occupational therapist, Alabaster City Schools

Used For Bcbsal — Be Healthy School Grants Used At Verbena High School — Kids at Verbena High School using their brand new Roller Racers and Legos. (Sheila Speaks)

Verbena High School also received a Be Healthy School Grant, and Physical Education teacher, Sheila Speaks, weighed in on what this reward means to her school.

“This grant allowed me to purchase needed equipment to teach students healthy habits that will hopefully last a lifetime. I will be able to provide developmentally-appropriate activities for ALL students.”
Sheila Speaks, K-6 Physical Education teacher, Verbena High School

Sheila has already made a few equipment purchases for her P.E. classes, and she let me in on a few of them:

Fitness bands
Hurdles
Large stacking cups + Legos
Mini trampolines
Roller racers
Tumbling mats

Making a healthier Alabama

The Fitness Court Has Seven Movements For A Full Body Workout. (Lacey Spear / Bham Now) — Get a full body workout at an outdoor fitness court in Alabama. (Lacey Spear / Bham Now)

While BCBSAL is impacting the health of K-12th graders in Alabama through the Be Healthy School Grants, they also have initiatives promoting wellness for all Alabamians—that includes you!

Check out more ways this team is making a healthier and happier Alabama:

What do you think about the Be Healthy School Grants? Tag us @bhamnow and let us know. Learn more about how your school can benefit from this program.

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