9/15/2009

CA GOVERNOR’S COUNCIL CUTS RIBBON ON $100,000 FITNESS CENTER AT STATE’S TOP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Gold Country school earns prize for winning Governor’s Challenge Competition

Sacramento – The Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports’ Chairman Jake Steinfeld visited Sacramento’s Hazel Strauch Elementary School today and cut the ribbon on a state-of-the-art “XRKade” an interactive, high-tech fitness facility complete with Dance Dance Revolution, a mixed-martial arts arena, and virtual mountain biking. Hazel Strauch Elementary School earned this prize, which was made possible by Anthem Blue Cross Foundation and iTech Fitness, for winning the 2008 Governor’s Challenge Competition, a contest among all California schools that promotes physical activity and good nutrition.

“We’re so proud of you for accepting the Governor’s Challenge and stepping up for your own health. Today, you are California’s Champions of Fitness and we’re excited to present you with this high-tech facility where you can work out and get active every day. Congratulations, you’ve earned it!” Steinfeld told the assembled students, teachers, parents and administrators.

Hazel Strauch Elementary School was selected from more than 1,200 schools across the state in which students were challenged to engage in physical activity 30-60 minutes a day, at least 3 days a week for 4 weeks – in addition to their regularly scheduled physical education classes. All x students for Hazel Strauch completed the Governor’s Challenge last year and the school has made sweeping changes to promote good nutrition including developing a “Parent University” in which parents attended nutrition presentations and received healthy recipes in English and Spanish.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell praised the school’s students as well. “I commend you all for fitness efforts. Getting active and eating well are obviously important for your long-term health and well-being, but beyond that Jake and I are big believers that healthy bodies lead to healthy minds. In fact, our research has shown that academics and fitness go hand-in-hand.”

This past year, more than 158,000 students from more than 1,200 schools increased their level of physical activity by taking the Governor’s Challenge. The API (Academic Performance Index) score of the 40 highest performing schools in the 2008 Governor’s Challenge Competition was 12.5% higher than the state average.

Linda Reuter, Principal of Hazel Strauch Elementary said that her school’s API rose higher than the state average this year and that fitness, may well have played a part. Revise details and quote: He added that in communities like Delano whose populations consist primarily of economically disadvantaged families, that the school’s role in promoting fitness is especially important. "Similar to most small communities, we are somewhat limited in the programs and resources available, outside of school, where all children have the opportunity to be active and to eat right, so it’s incumbent upon us, the school, to take the responsibility of promoting fitness and a healthy lifestyle very seriously while at the same time showing our students how fun fitness can be. That’s why we’re so excited to start using this XRKade.”

“Anthem Blue Cross Foundation is proud to be a founding sponsor of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and the presenting sponsor of the Governor’s Council Spotlight Awards, which recognize California individuals, organizations and events that positively impact the physical activity, fitness levels and well-being of California children” said Leslie A. Margolin, president of Anthem Blue Cross. “Over the past 4 years our foundation has donated over $1.5 million to the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and much of our support has been passed directly on to schools, parks, and other non-profit organizations in the form of rewards like this XRKade. It’s especially rewarding for us to know that through our support the Council and its Spotlight Award winners have encouraged millions of California children to get active and develop healthy lifestyles.”

The 2010 Governor’s Challenge Competition runs from September 17 through May 31 and once again Anthem Blue Cross Foundation is providing funding for the top elementary school, middle school and high school in the state to win $100,000 fitness centers. Eleven regional awards of $5,000 each are being provided by CVS/pharmcy and funding of individual certificates in the Governor’s Challenge is provided by General Mills. Individual incentives to take the Governor’s Challenge include free passes to 24 Hour Fitness facilities for high school students, teachers and parents, and free lift tickets at Mammoth Mountain for all students. Schools can sign up to participate in the Governor’s Challenge at www.CalGovCouncil.org .

The Anthem Blue Cross Foundation is also the presenting sponsor of the 2009 Governors’ Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Spotlight Awards. In addition to awarding three Schools of the Year with $100,000 fitness centers, the Council will award a gold, silver and bronze medal – and prizes up to $10,000 – to its Teachers of the Year, Principals of the Year, Parent Associations of the Year, Park and Recreation Programs of the Year, Events of the Year and Non-Profit Organizations of the Year. Nominations forms are available at www.CalGovCouncil.org/spotlight