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News Brief

03/05/13

First Lady Announces New Partnership in Let’s Move! Initiative

By Abby Hexter

First lady Michelle Obama, along with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, announced a new partnership with schools as part of her Let's Move! project. Let's Move! Active Schools is a comprehensive program that empowers P.E. teachers, classroom teachers, principals, administrators, and parents to create active environments that enable all students to get moving and reach their full potential. Regular physical activity has been shown to increase concentration and attention, improve attendance, and increase academic performance. This program will give schools the opportunity to encourage positive physical activity, and this program provides these schools with many customized resources to keep children active in five key areas:

  1. Physical education
  2. Physical activity during school
  3. Staff involvement
  4. Physical activity before and after school
  5. Family and community engagement

Along with the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition and the U.S. Department of Education, collaborating organizations include Nike, INC, GENYOuth Foundation, and the Partnership for a Healthier America.