FLEMINGSBURG | Fleming County Schools was recently awarded a 2014 Carol M. White Physical Education Program Grant.
The district was one of 67 organizations in the country, but one of only four in Kentucky to be awarded the grant, according to the U.S. Department of Education website.
Fleming County physical education teacher J.R. Price applied for grant. He said he felt it was something the district could really use.
“Other schools around have been awarded this grant in the past,” Price said. “I felt like it was our turn. We need something like this and it will be put to good use.”
The grant totals more than $790,000 to be awarded over a three-year period. In that time, the money will be used to purchase equipment for all Fleming County Schools, implement SPARK physical education and nutrition curriculum and train staff.
According to the U.S. DOE website, SPARK PE is a research-based program. It helps to improve the lives of children, teenagers and adults by “disseminating evidence-based physical education, early childhood and coordinated school health programs to teachers and leaders serving kindergarten through 12th grade.”
“The equipment purchases will be significant,” Price said. “It will include a fitness center at the high school. All district (physical education) and nutrition teachers will also receive training in implementing the new equipment and curriculum.”
The grant is awarded each year to education agencies and community based organizations to “initiate, expand or enhance physical education programs, including after-school programs in kindergarten through 12th grade,” according to the U.S. DOE website.
