BANGOR — The U.S. Department of Education announced that the Oxford Hills School District was selected to receive funding though the Carol M. White Physical Education Program, which awards grants to community-based organizations in an effort to initiate, expand or improve physical education programs for students in grades K-12. SAD 17 will receive $692,736 for the first year, and it is anticipated that it will be a three-year program.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, Oxford Hills District 17 and Telstar School District SAD 44 have developed a team to implement the “Body, Mind, & Spirit” project. The project will provide evidence-based nutrition education and Farm-to-School outdoor programming in partnership with the “UMaine Eat Well” program and the Healthy Maine Partnerships.

The “UMaine Eat Well” program is a local organization dedicated to health and wellness of youth and families. The project will increase time dedicated to physical activity education. This will include professional development for physical education and health teachers and a model health and wellness program that will meet the needs of all students with focus on lifelong outdoor skills, nutrition and exercise.