LaPlace – St. John the Baptist School District held a “Fuel Up to Play 60” Tailgate Party Kickoff recently at John L. Ory Magnet School in LaPlace, under the direction of Principal Teri Noel.

As a part of the school’s “Making the Grade” celebration, Ory Magnet used a play out of the “Fuel Up to Play 60 Play Book” to incorporate activities that encourage students to increase their physical activity up to 60-minutes a day and to make healthier food choices – Tailgate Party style.

The Tailgate Party, which included students and parents, began as a picnic-style meal that included whole grain and dark green leafy vegetables along with fresh fruit. Afterwards, the students participated in various physical activities including an obstacle course, parachutes, volleyball, indoor scooter soccer and a flag football game that was led by special guest Lionel Washington, a former NFL Oakland Raider and LaPlace resident. Door prizes included three footballs signed by NFL players, including one signed by Washington.

“Fuel Up to Play 60” is the collaboration between the National Dairy Council and the NFL. The purpose of the campaign is to educate students and their families on the importance of making healthy food choices and getting up to 60-minutes of physical activity daily to help fight childhood obesity.

John L. Ory, Emily C. Watkins and Lake Pontchartrain each received $3,000 in grant funds through the “Fuel Up to Play 60” program to

purchase physical activity supplies and educational materials promoting the importance of healthy food choices and increased physical activity.

“Fuel Up to Play 60” is part of a larger initiative led by St. John the Baptist Parish School Board Child Nutrition Department Director Lorraine Jackson to help combat childhood obesity. Other programs provided through the district to help fight childhood obesity include the “Healthier Us School Challenge” sponsored by the USDA and BESE Board; “School Putting Prevention to Work,” a state mandated initiative supporting the revision and implementation of the Comprehensive School Wellness Plan; and the “Dairy Optimization/Expanded Breakfast Program,” sponsored by Southeast United Dairy Industry Association, which promotes “Breakfast on the Go” and “Breakfast in the Classroom.”

For more information, or to participate go to www.fueluptoplay60.com.