Anthem school receives McDonald’s grant

ANTHEM – McDonald’s Owner/Operators of Arizona and the Arizona Parent Teacher Association  honored Gavilan Peak School as a Go Active! Academics Award winner.

The honor includes a $1,000 grant for the school’s physical education program.

Gavilan Peak School is one of 10 Arizona PTA schools receiving the grant for creative educational programs demonstrating an original approach to enhancing physical fitness, nutrition awareness and health education among fifth through eighth graders.

Applications were judged on creativity, educational content and cost effectiveness.

Gavilan Peak physical education teacher Jeff Tiedeman said grant funds will be used to purchase weight and resistance equipment to be used by students in a “Fitness Boot Camp” program. The program will combine physical fitness with health education topics.

The goal of the program is to keep students interested in exercising in interesting and different ways other than the traditional PE program. Students will be evaluated before and after the boot camp session to gauge each one’s strength and endurance improvements.

“Arizona PTA believes that one of the most important things school and families can teach students is the priniciples of nutritiion and exercise,” Vivian Vincent, Arizona PTA president, said. “Projects like McDonald’s provide students with the tools to lead balanced, active lifestyles, thereby benefiting their self‑esteem and other facets of their lives.”

McDonald’s USA, LLC, is the leading food‑service provider in the United States, serving a variety of  foods to millions of customers every day. More than 80 percent of McDonald’s restaurants nationwide are independently owned and operated by local franchisees.

For more information about McDonald’s visit mcdonalds.com.