FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, September 3, 2015

CONTACT: Daisy Gonzalez-Diego
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
305-995-2060

M-DCPS CONTINUES TO BATTLE CHILDHOOD OBESITY FRANCES S. TUCKER ELEMENTARY WINS FITNESS CENTER

Frances S. Tucker Elementary School in Coconut Grove is the deserving recipient of a $100,000 Live Positively Fitness Center from the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Council. The lucky school is one of three winners in the state and the only winner representing South Florida. The school was nominated by School Board member Raquel Regalado, District 6, who also nominated Shenandoah Middle School.

The 960 square-foot fitness center will feature children’s weight machines, treadmills and Xbox exercise games. Frances Tucker’s nearly 400-member student body has physical education classes every day for 30 minutes. The fitness center will be particularly valuable when students are unable to exercise outside.

Research indicates that one out of six children is affected by obesity and that number increases dramatically for children living in poverty. As a Title I school, more than 95 percent of the school receives free or reduced-price lunch. Miami-Dade County Public Schools is a leader in battling childhood obesity by removing sugary and unhealthy snacks from vending machines, adding salad bars, offering healthy food selections on school menus and providing physical education courses in all schools.

# # #

15-DGD/040/DF

Back to News Releases