Let's Move: Robin Schepper, Happy Physical Education (PE) Month!‏

MAY 16, 2011 Chef Paul helps kids at Dodson Elementary School prepare nutritious and fun meals. THIS WEEK Happy Physical Education (PE) Month! Last Monday, First Lady Michelle Obama announced new collaborations to support our military families at an event with the President’s Council of Fitness, Sport and Nutrition. Part of a new initiative called Joining Forces, a national effort that mobilizes all sectors of society to give our service members and their families the opportunities and support they have earned, the new collaborations will ensure that everyone can get out and get moving. Starting June 1st, service members and their families will be able to visit the websites of the organizations to sign up for free sportsclub memberships and personal training. After the announcement we had a South Lawn Series event. Military families participated in ball tosses and dance stations with President’s Council Members like Billie Jean King, Dominique Dawes, Michelle Kwan and Grant Hill. The First Lady tried every station herself; check out the video. We are not the only ones moving: chefs across the country are helping schools across the country meet the Healthier US School Challenge. Chef Billy Reid in California and Chef Paul Penney in Michigan are working with students to improve school lunches. And in Greeley, Colorado, USDA representatives tested one of the 15 final recipe winners of the First Lady’s Recipes for Healthy Kids competition, part of Chefs Move to Schools. As the weather warms up, there is no better way to fit in your physical activity than to get moving outside! Saturday, May 21st is the first annual National Kids to Parks Day. Hosted by the National Park Trust, the goal of this day is to encourage parents and caregivers to take children to a park or open space near them to get active, and have fun. This is also a great time to sign up for the Let’s Move Outside! PALA program. More than 150 Let’s Move! Cities and Towns mayors have signed proclamations announcing Kids to Parks Day in their communities. And speaking of Let’s Move! Cities and Towns, Asheville, North Carolina is setting an example of how to keep employees more fit with initiatives such as the creation of local farmers’ markets and community gardens, multi-modal transportation options such as new sidewalks and the incorporation of bike lanes and pedestrian crossings into street development, improved community access to parks through enhanced public safety efforts, and physically active programming for all ages at the City of Asheville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts facilities. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the availability of over $100 million in funding for up to 75 Community Transformation Grants aimed at creating healthy environments and promoting healthy lifestyles. If interested in applying click here. Until next week, Robin Schepper Executive Director, Let’s Move!, Office of the First Lady P.S. Remember the Beyonce Let’s Move! flashdance event on May 3rd? Well check out the compilation video of all the events around the country and even in Japan and Afghanistan!