GENESEE COUNTY, MI (May 2, 2024) – The Greater Flint Health Coalition’s Commit to Fit program staff have worked tirelessly to promote physical activity in and out of local schools for the past eight years via the Active Schools Challenge. Each year, Pre-K through 12th-grade students in Genesee County participate in a healthy competition, which encourages them to log at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity throughout the month of March.
The Active Schools Challenge rewards participating schools by rewarding the school whose students log the highest average minutes of physical activity with a monetary donation to be used towards their health and wellness efforts. This year, nine schools (three pre-k/early on & transition schools, three elementary schools, and three middle and high schools) were awarded first through third place prizes of $400, $300, and $250 respectively.
This year, 4,419 students from 33 schools and over 370 classrooms logged 3,341,464 minutes of physical activity between March 4 and March 22. The Active Schools Challenge yielded positive results including a 43% decrease in disruptive behaviors, a 43% increase in classroom attention, and an 86% increase in student activity levels. Ultimately, 91% of schools indicated that they would participate in the challenge again.
The Greater Flint Health Coalition and Commit to Fit would like to thank Genesee Health System, Flash Hoops, Molina Healthcare, and Oxford Bank who were all Platinum Sponsors of the Active Schools Challenge. The eighth annual Active Schools Challenge was a huge success and the Commit to Fit team is already looking forward to next year’s challenge!
For more information, visit www.gfhc.org. Questions about Commit to Fit and its programs can be directed to (810)232-2228 or [email protected].
About the Greater Flint Health Coalition
Established in 1996, the Greater Flint Health Coalition is a Flint, Michigan-based non- profit organization and partnership between Genesee County hospitals, physicians, businesses, insurers, public health professionals, policymakers, government leaders, educators, organized labor, community organizations, residents, and all those concerned about the well-being of our community and its residents. The two-fold mission of the Greater Flint Health Coalitionis to improve the health status of Genesee County residents and the quality and cost-effectiveness of the health care system in the community. For more information on the Greater Flint Health Coalition visit www.gfhc.org.
About Commit to Fit
The Commit to Fit program seeks to mobilize employers, schools, residents, neighborhoods, churches, and the community at large to support and utilize a common message focused on healthier, more active lifestyles. This program promotes practical ways to increase health and wellness through simple daily choices For more information about the Commit to Fit program, visit www.commit2fit.org.