Joseph M. McVey Elementary School Awarded Grant from GOLO and Project Fit America

GOLO and Project Fit America (PFA), a national non-profit that creates and administers fitness in education programming for elementary and middle schools, announced that Joseph M. McVey Elementary School in Newark, Delaware has been selected to receive a grant to support its physical education curriculum. GOLO has committed $10,000 to support the fitness program designed by Project Fit America, which is also intended to help children build social, character, and leadership skills.

"We are thrilled to partner with Project Fit America to introduce this exceptional physical education program to Joseph M. McVey Elementary School. This initiative promises to enrich the lives of both teachers and students, fostering a healthier and more active school community," said Jennifer Brooks, President and Co-founder of GOLO.

Project Fit America selected Joseph M. McVey Elementary School for the grant after conducting an open call for proposals with all public schools in Delaware, including Kent, Sussex, and New Castle counties.

"This grant from Project Fit America and GOLO will benefit our school by providing funding to enhance our physical education program. This will lead to increased physical activity levels among students, better overall health, improved focus in the classroom, and positive effects on students' self-esteem and social development," stated Dr. Asia Ali-Hawkins, principal of Joseph M. McVey Elementary School.

The academic focus of the grant program is to create "physically educated" children and to empower them to take personal responsibility for their health with enthusiasm. The program includes fitness equipment and a dynamic supplemental physical education curriculum with games, activities, and challenges for children. Project Fit America also provides support to the school for two years, along with on-site training with the school's physical education teacher representative. 

“It is my goal to teach all my students the importance of movement, teamwork, and commitment through physical education. I love that this grant from Project Fit America and GOLO will allow me to tie in more of a fitness component to my lessons.  The new equipment and lessons will be a great way to motivate students while improving their overall fitness levels,” said Lauren Decker, physical education teacher at Joseph M. McVey Elementary School.

Project Fit America programs are designed to help increase children's fitness levels and are customized to fit the specific needs of each individual school. They are also intended to complement existing physical education programs and curricula.

"We are absolutely thrilled to join forces with the outstanding staff and students at Joseph M. McVey Elementary School, made possible by the generous donation from GOLO," added Stacey Cook, Executive Director of Project Fit America. "GOLO's steadfast dedication to giving back to the community profoundly transforms the lives of hundreds of children, delivering vital support for Physical Education programs in our schools."

Previous grants from GOLO and Project Fit America were awarded to John R. Downes Elementary in Newark, DE, in 2023 and W.B. Simpson Elementary in Camden, DE, in 2024.