Medford, MA – Congressman Edward J. Markey (D-Malden) congratulated the Natick Public Schools District for winning the Active Schools Acceleration Project’s regional division for most Innovative Physical Activity School Program.
 
Natick Public Schools’ BOKS program is run before classes and is an aerobic exercise featuring group play, games and drills.  Natick, MA will receive a $25,000 grant to support their physical activity programming.  As a regional winner, NPS is in contention for the national $100,000 grant and an opportunity for their BOKS program to serve as a developmental pilot program for school districts in New England and nationwide.
 
“Exercising and staying active is one of the most effective ways students can keep their grades up.  I congratulate Natick Public Schools on their innovative practices and commitment to offering activities that promote healthy living,” said Rep. Markey, dean of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation.  “With this award, Natick Public School PE class also stands for 'Pursuing Excellence'.  The 7th Congressional District is the Innovation District, and Natick Public Schools is a standard bearer in finding creative ways to transfer physical activity and health education from the theoretical to the practical.”
 
Natick Public Schools will be honored at the 2012 Active Schools Acceleration Projects Awards Ceremony and Reception on June 13th in Washington, D.C.
 
First Lady Michelle Obama and ChildObesity180 launched The Active Schools Acceleration Project with the goal to identify and reward the most creative, impactful, and scalable school-based programs and technological innovations that promote physical activity for children.  For more information about the competition, go to: http://www.activeschoolsasap.org/
 
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