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Education

Atlanta, Gwinnett elementary schools get $289,000 in fitness grants

By
Feb 9, 2016

Twenty nine elementary schools in Atlanta and Gwinnett County will get activity trackers and other resources to help students be fit and healthy.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia Foundation last week gave $289,000 to HealthMPowers, a local nonprofit dedicated to promoting healthy behavior and environments for schoolchildren, for the program in those two school districts.

The students will use the activity trackers to monitor their physical fitness during the day while they’re at school. Educators and others have been concerned about the higher percentage of students who are overweight due to unhealthy eating habits and lack of physical activity.

About the Author

Eric Stirgus joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2001. He is the newsroom's education editor. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Eric is active in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Education Writers Association and enjoys mentoring aspiring journalists.

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