Michigan—Battle Creek Academy (BCA) has received a $264,000 grant (payable over three years, with successful completion of each year required for advancement through the program) for the hiring of a physical education teacher and the implementation of a health curriculum. This award process was very competitive. In 2006, only 5.1 percent of applicants received a grant. With hundreds of thousands of schools applying for the award, the likelihood of a small school such as BCA receiving the grant was very small.

With a primary goal to teach BCA students how to stay fit and improve their existing health through the creation of a curriculum based on the Michigan State Physical Education Content Standards and the implementation of a research-based curriculum, a grant proposal was written. The goal was to establish a Wellness for Life program to (a) implement a physical education curriculum, (b) create and implement a health curriculum, and (c) hire a physical education instructor to teach the students.

The administrative staff at BCA was very much surprised to learn of their award via a congratulatory phone call from their local newspaper. Shortly after, phone calls were received from their state representative in Washington, D.C., the governor's office in Lansing, Mich., etc. When the initial surprise had passed, they immediately contacted the Lake Union Conference's attorney to review the paperwork surrounding the grant and to confirm that there were no religious liberties issues. Upon the completion of the review, it was recommended that the grant be reviewed by the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists' (NAD) Department of Education and Legal Counsel offices.

These offices reviewed the information and, after a month's worth of conversations, it was ascertained that receiving this award would not impeach religious liberties or create other challenges for the school. The BCA School Board reviewed detailed information regarding the grant and, after discussion, voted unanimously to accept the Carol M. White Physical Education award.

As this article was written, candidates were being interviewed for the program and plans made to move forward, after much prayerful consideration and counsel from both the NAD and Lake Union attorney's offices, with a "one year at a time" approach. The grant program is designed to be self-governed with regular reviews by program director/principal, Kevin Kossick, and bi-annual reviews by a self-created school committee culminating in an annual report to the Department of Education in Washington, D.C.

Although much information is posted online, the following description summarizes the grant well:

"Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) grant provides funding for the development and implementation of physical education programs which promote increased physical activity and healthy lifestyles for children and supports life-long physical activity. The purpose of the PEP grant is not to provide new playgrounds or facilities but may be used to purchase fitness/sports equipment and train teachers in innovative physical education programs. In the first two years of the program, the PEP grant funded acquisition of treadmills, heart rate monitors, inline skates, climbing walls, ski equipment, fitness assessment technology, as well as a wide range of traditional sports equipment. Funds are also provided for curriculum development, teacher training, student fitness assessments, data collection and evaluations. While equipment purchases are allowable, successful grant applicants propose programs that address various aspects of a comprehensive physical education program."

Please remember this program in your prayers.

Sallie A. Mayer, director of alumni and development, Battle Creek Academy