BlueCross Offers Middle Schools Chance to Rev Up PE

Application period for Shape the State grants opens March 21

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. —Tennessee middle schools looking to add a spark to their physical education programs can get a new PE curriculum, training for their teachers and equipment for their students through the Shape the State℠ program of the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation.

Now in its sixth year, the program has awarded 100 Shape the State grants, valued at $10,000 each to Tennessee schools serving middle grades students. Twenty more schools will be selected this year. Applications will be accepted on the Better Tennessee website  March 21 through April 21. Winning schools will be announced in May.

“Shape the State grants have helped 100 schools transform their physical education classes in a positive way,” said Calvin Anderson, BlueCross senior vice president and executive director of the foundation. “Starting today, we’re looking for the next 20 schools that will recharge their PE programs.”

In addition to supplying the acclaimed SPARK physical education curriculum, teacher training and equipment, schools earning the grants get an additional $1,000 to spend at their discretion on their health, nutrition and wellness programs.

About  BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation, Inc.

The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation, Inc. (THF) was established in December, 2003 as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation organized to promote the philanthropic mission of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. THF awards grants focused on high-impact initiatives across the state, which promote healthy lifestyle choices and help control health care costs for all Tennessee residents. Working with civic and economic partners, THF is dedicated to the support of research, innovative programs and creative approaches to improve the health and quality of life of Tennesseans for generations to come.