WHAT:

Jake Steinfeld, Chairman of the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils, dignitaries and students will cut the ribbon on Newport Mill Middle School’s new DON’T QUIT! Fitness Center at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 10, 2017.

Newport Mill was one of three Maryland schools selected as a DON’T QUIT! Fitness Champion earlier this year for demonstrating new and innovative ways of promoting student physical activity and wellness.  The other two winning schools were Buck Lodge Middle School in Adelphi and Vanguard Middle School in Baltimore.

Adding to the day's excitement, an official proclamation from Governor Hogan will be shared during the ceremony that recognizes October as "DON’T QUIT! Fitness Month."  During DON’T QUIT! Fitness Month, families and communities are encouraged to renew their commitment to making physical activity and healthy eating part of our children's daily lives.

The National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils program has rolled out in twenty-two states and Washington, DC since 2012 and expects to cover all 50 states in the coming years.  Each DON’T QUIT! Fitness Center is financed and GIFTED to schools through public/private partnerships with companies like The Coca-Cola Company, The Amerigroup Foundation, Wheels Up and Nike, and does not rely on taxpayer dollars or state funding.  Additionally, TuffStuff Fitness International provides all of the fitness equipment.  The Foundation’s goal is to build a nation of the fittest, healthiest kids in the world.

WHO:
Larry Hogan, Governor of Maryland
Jake Steinfeld, Chairman of the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils
Shebra Evans, member, Montgomery County Board of Education
Panagiota Tsonis, Principal, Newport Mill Middle School
Rich Madaleno, Senator, State of Maryland
Craig Zucker, Senator, State of Maryland
Dr. Laura Herrera-Scott, Medicaid Medical Director, Amerigroup
Lauren Craig, Directorof Public Affairs, Coca-Cola North America

VISUAL:
650 excited students
DON’T QUIT! Fitness Center - Students will use the equipment for the first time!
Proclamation presentation

WHEN:
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

WHERE:
Newport Mill Middle School
11311 Newport Mill Road
Kensington, MD 20895
Gymnasium

WHY:
Physical activity and exercise have been shown to help prevent and treat more than 40 chronic diseases, enhance individual health and quality of life and reduce health care costs.  In schools, physical activity and exercise have been shown to improve academic achievement, increase confidence and self-esteem, reduce discipline problems, cut absenteeism and foster better interpersonal relationships.

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For more information about the National Foundation, visit www.natgovfit.org.


About The National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils

The National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils (NFGFC) seeks to encourage and reward innovation in the field of youth fitness by awarding fitness centers to schools that use new and unique methods to promote student physical activity and wellness. The NFGFC envisions a fitness center in every school in the U.S., helping to build a nation that—through innovation and a “DON’T QUIT!” attitude—boasts the fittest kids in the world. Since 2012, the NFGFC has delivered fitness centers in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., Georgia, New Jersey, Delaware, West Virginia, California, New Mexico, Connecticut, Virginia, Illinois, Arkansas, Florida, Texas, Ohio, Washington, Wisconsin and Arizona. In 2017, new fitness centers will be delivered in Oregon, Louisiana, Maryland, and Colorado.