April 2012 Highlights « Back

Fuel Up to Play 60 in Illinois

Ten schools that did the best job of implementing Fuel Up to Play 60 in northern Illinois will receive a once-in-a-lifetime visit to Halas Hall this spring. Each school will send 10 kids to an event where they’ll participate in physical activity drills at the Peyton Center. Meanwhile, the top Fuel Up to Play 60 adult program advisors will be rewarded with a chance to attend a black-tie wine and cheese reception there.  The evening will feature Bear alumni speakers that will motivate these “star” adult advisors to enlist their peers in Fuel Up to Play 60.

Former Chicago Bears wide receiver Anthony Morgan spoke with passion to Earle Elementary school students in Chicago about the importance of eating healthy, getting active and making a difference.  His appearance was awarded to the school for its active participation with Fuel Up to Play 60.  He conducted two assemblies, did a meet-and-greet and led the student team in signing the Fuel Up to Play 60 pledge. It was Morgan’s first school presentation as a spokesperson for Midwest Dairy.

The Glenwood School in Glendale Heights hosted a recent Fuel Up to Play 60/HOPSports event using taped segments of Dale Drendel of Lindale Farms in Hampshire. The event was a result of a partnership with the American Heart Association and the Chicago Bears

At the invitation of Elgin District U-46, Midwest Dairy’s Kristin Frank attended a school board meeting last month to be recognized by the superintendent for our contributions to the health and wellness of the children of District U-46. Parkwood Elementary and Eastview Middle School were provided plaques for their success with Fuel Up to Play 60 and presented information about what they did for healthy eating and physical activity plays.  The Parkwood Elementary student team attended, dressed in their Fuel Up to Play 60 t-shirts. Eastview and Parkwood were the only schools in Illinois to meet the campaign requirements entitling them to a visit from Roberto Garza from the Bears, and a grant to help them continue their healthy lifestyle efforts.

More than 200 school food service attendees from all over Illinois participated in an Olympic Challenge event in Sandwich where Midwest Dairy Council was a bronze sponsor and provided an exhibit highlighting Fuel Up to Play 60 opportunities. Many of those attending were from our new service area in southern Illinois. Two of the five round table discussions included Fuel Up to Play 60 messages including one co-chaired by Midwest Dairy Council and St. Charles School District on how to apply for funding and navigate the website.

Congratulations and thank you to Kristin Frank of our staff.   She has worked for dairy producers for more than 30 years and is the chair of the Industry Advisory Board for the Illinois School Nutrition Association.  She is a great example of a professional staff member that goes above and beyond in her job role.  And because of her exemplary work, the 2012-2013 school year will show increased participation in Fuel Up to Play 60 and competition for funding in Illinois.

Other Illinois Updates

Midwest Dairy Association has provided dairy checkoff information at 11 producer meetings with attendance of more than 900 dairy producers since the first of the year.  While Marla Behrends did most of these meetings, we also thank Kristin Frank for speaking on behalf of the Midwest Dairy Council at the Woodstock Progressive Milk Producers Association annual meeting, where she shared Fuel Up to Play 60 highlights.

Thirty-one Ag in the Classroom Teacher Institutes have been scheduled this year around the state.  Karen Schmitt will be working with the coordinators on Midwest Dairy’s behalf on May 22 and then will train the trainers on May 24.  The Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom program has provided leadership to more than 7,530 Illinois educators since 1991.