Prospect School #1 Played with Real 'Giants', Learned Heart-Healthy Habits

PROSPECT PARK, NJ - It was a day for play at Prospect Park School #1 when the New York Giants teamed up with The American Heart Association to engage the fifth- and sixth-grade students in 60 minutes of play, according to the district's superintendent.

On Tuesday, September 17, representatives from both organizations were front and center, including current and former NY Giants football team members, Dr. Tyeshia Reels said.

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For more than 18 seasons, the NFL PLAY 60 initiative has been the League's national Youth Health and Wellness platform to empower youth to get physically active for at least 60 minutes each day and encourage a healthy lifestyle.

“I am so honored that the NFL Play 60 chose our district and our scholars to host their first kick-off event of the season," Reels said. "Children and adults were so excited not only to meet members of the NY Giants, but to participate in activities spearheaded by the district’s physical education teachers such as volleyball, free throw, Rock, Paper, Scissors, and Tic-Tac-Toe relay, which may be attributed to children, but the Giants were having so much fun that they did not want to leave.

"What an incredible experience and it is one that our school will never forget. I know that our scholars raved about this day with their families and shared the importance about being active for at least 60 minutes a day.”

During the event, the district highlighted Hispanic Heritage Month with former player and Super Bowl Champ #52 Jonathan Casillas and current Defensive Tackle #90 Elijah Garcia who both represented their Hispanic pride through inspirational messages and by sharing encouraging past-times about their families and foundational roots that helped catapult them both to where they are today, Reels said.

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If all of this wasn’t excitement enough, the district received a grant for $1,500 courtesy of Oakley, Reels said, to go towards the promotion of physical activity and enhancement of their physical education department.

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