Grand Prairie in the News!

Grand Prairie Elementary School was recently spotlighted in the American Diabetes Association Newsletter. The following article appeared:

Grand Prairie Elementary School Raises More than $11,000 for the ADA

For one week in the month of October, 856 Grand Prairie students and their teachers participated in their first ever "School Walk for Diabetes". To their amazement and joy, Grand Prairie raisede more than $11,000 in the walk that took place every day for a week during the students' gym classes. These students have two very important reasons to raise money for diabetes, classmates Emilee Z, 10 and Courtney S., 7, who battle the disease every day. Emilee and Courtney served as the inspiration for Grand Prairie's School Wald and couldn't have been any happier with the results. The students raised money by going door-to-door and reaching out into the community. Amy Mattingly-Frisby, School Walk Coordinator, concluded, "we are absolutely flabbergasted at the response and support for people living with diabetes."

School Walk for Diabetes Honor Roll:
Bailly Middle School
Beecher Elementary School
Braun Education Center
Bridgeview School
St. Bride School
St. Paul the Apostle School
Grand Prairie Elementary School
Glenwood Elementary
Faith Christian Elementary

As you know, diabetes is affecting a growing number of children every year.  Approximately one in every 400-500 children or adolescents has type 1 diabetes.  More and more children are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, which was previously only seen in adults.  Overeating and sedentary lifestyles are large factors in the increase of type 2 diabetes among American children.

Education about eating healthfully and exercising regularly, along with the opportunity and encouragement to practice these good habits will help children stay healthy.  Our school hosted a School Walk for Diabetes during the physical education classes the week of October 18th-22nd. P.E. students were given envelopes for fund raising.  These envelopes were passed out by Miss P.  They were turned back in to Miss P by October 22nd.  Everyone participatec even if they did not contribute by fund raising.  The message we promoted was community service, school spirit, and healthy living.

 If you have questions, please contact the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (342-2383) or visit their website at www.diabetes.org/schoolwalk