West Orange middle schools ‘Fuel Up to Play 60’

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Twenty-seven lucky Edison, Liberty and Roosevelt middle school students enjoyed a trip to the Jets Training Camp facility in Florham Park on March 16 to taste smoothies, do a little dancing and learn about the “Fuel Up to Play 60” program that will be added to their schools beginning in September. The 27 students were chosen because of their interest, enthusiasm and commitment to good health and physical exercise.

“What is Fuel Up to Play 60? It’s a national nutrition and fitness initiative that encourages students to eat healthy and get 60 minutes of physical activity every day,” Jets nutritionist Glenn Tobias said in a press release.

Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by National Dairy Council and the National Football League, in collaboration with the USDA, to help encourage today’s youth to lead healthier lives.

Jets cornerback Buster Skrine and representatives from the National Dairy Association were also on-hand to talk exercise and nutrition and put students through their paces in the indoor training facility. Students from more than 20 schools attended the by-invitation-only event, which is usually held twice a year for schools implementing the program. Students will learn how to become student ambassadors and earn points to qualify for school grant money, equipment and fun events.

K-12 Health and Physical Education supervisor Kevin Alvine, Josh Kreutz from Sodexo, the district’s food service provider, and physical education teachers from each of the middle schools also attended.

Photos Courtesy of Cynthia Cumming