Six Hamilton Southeastern schools are part of a statewide health, fitness and nutrition program called “Change the Play”. The effort teams Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck and Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health. In all, 30 schools around the state are involved in the initiative.
Change the Play kicked off last April with an eight-week challenge that families could tackle at home. Now, it’s rolling out in select classrooms of schoolchildren ages 5 to 14. This pilot program is just the beginning: Change the Play will be made available to all Indiana schools this fall.
For the next eight weeks, students will be encouraged to improve their own physical activity levels, while increasing their knowledge of nutrition and good health behaviors. Each weekly challenge is packed with motivational tips and insights from Riley at IU Health physicians, dietitians, sports performance coaches and Luck himself.
Challenge topics range from teaching the importance of staying hydrated and building strength to developing coping skills for dealing with everyday stress.
“Our aim is to give kids a fun, motivating game plan for healthy living that they can build upon throughout their lives,” said Dr. Jeff Sperring, Riley at IU Health president and CEO. “Because health and education are so strongly linked, schools will be vital partners in this effort.”
Upon completion of all eight weekly challenges, 20 students from each participating school district will be invited to Indianapolis for an action-packed Field Day celebration, hosted by Luck and Riley at IU Health. The April event will take place on the very field where Luck and his Colts teammates practice. Hundreds of kids are expected to attend.
Change the Play, a minimum four-year partnership, will continue to advance its mission in 2014, through sports performance camps led by Luck and with fresh challenges in the fall. Hamilton Southeastern schools participating in the pilot program include Cumberland Road Elementary, Fall Creek Elementary, Fishers Junior High, Harrison Parkway Elementary, Hoosier road Elementary and Riverside Junior High.
