Lewis County students are getting fit with a little help from a federal grant project.

The Lewis County Board of Education has been awarded federal funds through the 2009 Carol White Physical Education Program grant to implement the "Grow Fit Project" at Laurel, Garrison, Tollesboro and Central elementary schools, Lewis County Middle School, and Lewis County High School.

According to Lewis County Instructional Supervisor and Grant Coordinator Diane Johnson, the district will receive $652,871 over a three-year period to adopt a research-based curriculum that uses blended fitness and nutrition instruction to help students make improvements in health.

Johnson said the Lewis County School District was the only district in Kentucky to receive this grant for the year. This was also the first year the district has received the grant.

"We are really thrilled to be receiving this grant. We are very concerned about our student's obesity and diabetes rate in the county. We are hoping this will help," said Johnson.

Currently more than 64 percent of the students in the district are considered at risk, overweight or obese. More than 20 percent of the high school students are considered to be obese, according to Johnson.

A new activity-based curriculum, which includes SPARK, StationPE or Fitness Wise, will be purchased and adopted into all six schools in the district. The curriculum will be connected and sequential as well as deliver daily cognitive content on ideas associated with fitness and health.

Equipment purchased through the grant will give teachers and students an extensive amount of equipment to be used in each school. Students in each grade will create a personal activity or fitness plan to improve vigorous physical activity and fitness levels and will keep track of their fitness levels through the use of a fitness journal.

The new equipment will allow students to monitor their heart rate, set personal goals and develop healthy lifestyles, said Johnson.

Students will also learn the skills necessary to assess their own progress in becoming proficient at specific motor skills and be taught how to distinguish for sedentary behaviors and those that produce moderate to vigorous physical activity levels.

"We are hoping to have a more consistent curriculum with the new equipment. We can start to educate students on taking more responsibility for their health," said Johnson.

Students will also participate in daily activities that reinforce health and fitness concepts. Motor skill development drills will be progressive and build on those skills previously learned. Teachers will be extensively trained in the implementation and delivery of this curriculum. Each of the six schools in the district has one physical education and health teacher.

"We want to have several outreach committees," said Johnson.

A physical fitness night and open house will also be scheduled in each school. Johnson said the dates still have to be scheduled but the night will offer parents a chance to see the new equipment and learn more about the programming.

Contact Barbara Goldman at barbara.goldman@lee.net or call 606-564-9091, ext. 274.