Community High School District 94 in West Chicago is the recipient of a federal Carol M. White Physical Education Program grant in the amount of $252,648. The grant will enable Community High School to institute We-Go for Fitness, a comprehensive program that will give students the tools, knowledge and motivation to become physically fit and active and to make healthy choices throughout their lives. Major changes in curriculum will be made to better serve the needs of the students.

One of those changes is the addition of an Adventure Education Program, which will feature challenges such as climbing walls, a high ropes course, kayaking, and team building activities. A General Mills Foundation grant of $24,900 also made a major contribution to start the Adventure Education Program. The program activities and curriculum will be appropriate and of interest to both male and female students. It will offer special activities such as yoga, Pilates, self-defense and dance. The grant will also allow the high school to replace aging equipment, to add appropriate technological resources and to provide professional development for physical education and health staff. A number of special guest speakers will engage students' interest regarding health, fitness and lifestyle choices. Student access to the fitness and weight rooms will be expanded by hiring fitness specialists to supervise those areas for three hours per day after school, Mondays through Fridays. They will implement personal training programs and give practical advice to participants on workout routines that will help them to reach personal fitness goals.

The We-Go for Fitness team, comprised of students, staff, parents and community members, will recommend changes to the school environment to support improved nutrition for students. The changes will enable students to make positive lifestyle changes and to make wellness a central part of their everyday lives. One aspect of the initiative is the One Small Change Program, which will encourage participants to make small, manageable changes to their diet and fitness routines to enhance their health. The team hopes to encourage these changes in the lives of students, staff, parents and, eventually, the community.

Dan Johnson, Physical Education and Health Department Chairman, is the grant Project Director. Physical Education teacher Kristi Hasty took the lead in preparing the PEP grant proposal. "We are really excited about these grants," said CHS Principal John Highland. "The funds will provide important resources that can make a big difference in the health and well-being of all our students." The high school will pick up 13.58% of the grant costs -- an amount of $34,311. The PEP grant will provide approximately $30,000 during the second year of the grant.