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Phipps conservatory in Pittsburgh

Phipps conservatory in Pittsburgh (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pittsburgh, Pa. — Let’s Move Pittsburgh, a program of Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, is pleased to announce a new opportunity to inspire and celebrate school champions committed to promoting healthy food choices and increased physical activity for the region’s children. The initiative’s School Champion Award program, supported by Giant Eagle, is now accepting applications from Allegheny County schools, or partnering organizations working within area school districts, for both seed grants to fund new projects and awards to acknowledge existing efforts to foster healthy lifestyles.
School Champion Awards range from $500-$1,500 and will be offered in regular grant rounds as funds become available, with priority given to public, charter and private preschool and elementary school applications. Current areas of focus for new project proposals and existing efforts are:

  • Bag the Junk — Increasing Healthy Food and Nutritional Education in Schools: Let’s Move Pittsburgh challenges schools or their partnering organizations (including parent/teacher groups) to reduce the amount of unhealthy foods sold and given out in schools, and implement nutritional education and other outreach programming centered on healthier choices.
  • Getting Kids Moving: Let’s Move Pittsburgh challenges schools to develop opportunities for children to be physically active as part of their school experience — either throughout the school day or through participation in an after-school activity or club.
  • Inspiring Kids to Grow and Cook Food: Let’s Move Pittsburgh challenges schools to incorporate cooking and gardening into the school setting. Teaching children how to cook and grow food is empowering; it helps them to understand where food comes from and incentivizes them to make better choices. It equips children with the skills they need to lead healthy lifestyles.

To ensure success, Let’s Move Pittsburgh will offer resources, project examples and networking opportunities to assist schools and organizations in developing programs that will have a measurable impact. Awardees will be recognized at the annual Let’s Move Pittsburgh Symposium to be held on Nov. 5, 2014. Completed applications are due by May 23, 2014, and winners will be notified by June 20.

About Phipps: Founded in 1893, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh, Pa. is a green leader among public gardens with a mission to inspire and educate all with the beauty and importance of plants; to advance sustainability and promote human and environmental well-being through action and research; and to celebrate its historic glasshouse. Learn more: phipps.conservatory.org.

 

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