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The New England Patriots Foundation and New England Dairy awarded a $10,000 Hometown Grant to Lafayette School in Everett as part of the organizations’ continued commitment to student health. The funds are being used to enhance the school’s wellness environment through the purchase of two new grab and go meal carts to increase access to school breakfast and new physical activity equipment for students.
The school held a Hometown Grant celebration today that kicked off with the arrival of special guests from the New England Patriots Foundation including President Josh Kraft, Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Tippett, current Patriots players including Trent Brown, Marcus Jones, Calvin Munson, Chris Board, and Cole Strange, Patriots cheerleaders, and mascot, Pat Patriot.
During the assembly, students heard from a variety of guests including Josh Kraft, Mayor Carlo DeMaria, Senator Sal DiDomenico, Everett Schools Superintendent Priya Tahiliani, Principal David Brady, Massachusetts dairy farmer Ted Dunajski from Dunajski Dairy in Peabody, MA, and New England Dairy Director of Youth Wellness Erin Wholey, RD, LDN. After a question-and-answer session between the students, Patriots players, and dairy farmer, the assembly closed with an energizing performance by the school cheer team.
“Eating healthy and staying active sets students up for long term success in and out of the classroom,” said Kraft. “The New England Patriots are proud to present the Hometown Grant to Lafayette School, so they have the tools necessary to help students succeed each day.”
Following the assembly, a select group of students participated in the Ultimate Recess, a rotation of football skills and drills exercises. The students rotated through engaging team-building and physical activities, led by the New England Patriots players. The excitement was palpable throughout the day’s events.
"Everett Public Schools extends its sincerest thanks to the New England Patriots Foundation and its partners for the tremendous support it has given to the Lafayette School," said Superintendent of Schools Priya Tahiliani. "This initiative has brought great joy to our students and staff, and it will have a lasting and positive impact on the Lafayette community."
Developed by Fuel Up to Play 60 and the National Football League, the Hometown Grant program identifies deserving schools and helps fund their physical activity and healthy eating goals. Fuel Up to Play 60 is the nation’s largest in-school wellness program that encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods and achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. This program is supported regionally by the dairy farm families of Massachusetts and New England.
“As members of the community, dairy farmers are proud to support the success of the next generation,” said dairy farmer Ted Dunajski. “Our partnership with the New England Patriots through Fuel Up to Play 60 allows us to expand our support to ensure youth have access to the nutritious school meals and physical activity they need to thrive.”
New England Dairy and Massachusetts dairy farm families have been supporting local schools for over a century. Dairy farms are the heartbeat of communities throughout New England, creating jobs, investing in the local economy, and supporting childhood health and education.
About New England Dairy
New England Dairy (NED) is a non-profit education organization based in Boston that serves as a voice of dairy farmers in New England and Eastern New York. We champion these dairy farm families and the nutritious foods they produce by connecting people to dairy farms, supporting youth wellness in schools, and delivering the latest nutrition and sustainability science to educators, health professionals, scientists, and media. NED is a state and regional affiliate of the National Dairy Council® (NDC).
About Fuel Up to Play 60
Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by National Dairy Council (NDC) and National Football League (NFL), with additional partnership support from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods (low-fat and fat-free dairy, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains) and achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.
Fuel Up to Play 60 is designed to engage and empower youth to take action for their own health by implementing long-term, positive changes for themselves and their schools. Customizable and non-prescriptive program components are grounded in research with youth, including tools and resources, in-school promotional materials, a website and student challenges. Fuel Up to Play 60 is further supported by several health and nutrition organizations: Action for Healthy Kids, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, National Hispanic Medical Association, National Medical Association and School Nutrition Association. Visit
FuelUpToPlay60.com to learn more.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).
About NFL PLAY 60
In October of 2007, the NFL launched NFL PLAY 60, a national youth health and fitness campaign focused on increasing the wellness of young fans by encouraging them to be active for at least 60 minutes a day. Over the past decade, the NFL has partnered with leading academic, scientific and nonprofit organizations, including the American Heart Association, National Dairy Council, Special Olympics, Shriners Hospitals for Children, St. Jude, and the United Way, to help children of all abilities lead healthier, active lives. Since the launch of the campaign, the NFL has committed more than $350 million to youth health and fitness through programming, grants, and media time for PSAs; the NFL and its clubs have supported programs in nearly 73,000 schools nationwide, giving more than 38 million children the chance to boost physical activity levels and build a foundation for a healthy lifestyle. The NFL and its partners are committed to continuing the PLAY 60 movement for an active and healthier generation for years to come. For more information, visit
nfl.com/PLAY60.
About the New England Patriots Foundation
Robert Kraft established the New England Patriots Foundation in 1994 to give back to the communities the Patriots call home. The mission of the foundation is to aid individuals and families that are often marginalized in our society. Through the implementation of year-round programming and support of philanthropic agencies, the foundation is building stronger communities throughout New England. For more information about the New England Patriots Foundation, visit
www.patriots.com/community.
About Everett Public Schools
The Everett Public Schools (EPS) comprises 10 schools — two early education schools, one K-5 school, five K-8 schools, a Special Education day school, and a comprehensive high school — and serves more than 7,400 students. EPS students speak more than 54 languages in our classrooms. 65% of families speak a language other than English at home. The EPS is committed to providing a stimulating, integrated educational environment for the intellectual, cultural, social, and physical growth of all children.
