Students at two Fort Worth schools will return in the fall to find recess a lot more fun thanks to colorful sidewalk games created by Texas Health volunteers and Blue Zones Project Fort Worth. The games, including hopscotch, chess, tic-tac-toe and basketball, were recently painted at Versia Williams and M.H. Moore elementary schools as part of a “recess refresh” to the paved areas of the schools’ playgrounds.
Part of a Community Time Off volunteer project hosted by the executive time at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, the games are aimed at promoting more natural movement and outside activity among students. “Living (Our Texas Health) Promise, showing our commitment to supporting and improving the community, and leading by example, all while promoting a healthy lifestyle – this project was the perfect example of just that,” said Ginger Morrow, human resources officer for Texas Health Fort Worth. She added that an extra benefit of the project was the relationship building it prompted within the team.
Fort Worth ISD’s Maintenance and Operations department furnished the paint and supplies while the district’s paint department helped outline areas that needed attention and provided onsite assistance. Volunteers, including Texas Health Fort Worth President Joseph DeLeon, then refreshed the play areas with paint and graphics. “It’s important to us to give back to the very community that supports our hospital,” DeLeon said. “What better way to do that than by promoting healthy habits through Blue Zones Project initiatives for our youth.”
School staff also pitched in, including M.H. Moore’s Coach Jose Ramirez who plans to start a “Start the Day with Play” program on the recess area in the fall.
M.H. Moore Assistant Principal Katy Myers appreciated the volunteer effort to freshen up the outdoor area. “Blue Zones Project continues to encourage health and wellness for the next generation. The students of M.H. Moore are blessed to have Blue Zones Project and Texas Health help infuse fresh color and life into the place they learn and play. I love how colorful it turned out.”
Blue Zones Project is a well-being initiative that is implemented in Tarrant County and beyond by North Texas Healthy Communities, a community outreach arm of Texas Health. Versia Williams and M.H. Moore are two of more than 50 Blue Zones Project Approved schools in Tarrant County, with special programs and initiatives that focus on helping students make healthy life choices. Research shows that students who are more physically active during recess tend to perform better academically and have fewer behavioral issues, in addition to the obvious health benefits.