Healthier Generation, Laureus USA and Red Nose Day Team Up to "Reimagine Recess"

(NEW YORK, N.Y.) October 9, 2018 – Today, Alliance for a Healthier Generation (Healthier Generation) – a national organization empowering kids to develop lifelong, healthy habits – in partnership with the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation (Laureus USA) and Red Nose Day launched Reimagine Recess, an educational campaign that challenges the conventional perception of recess as just a time for kids to run around. 

When the school bell rings for recess, kids across the country run to various play spaces ready to be active and spend time with their friends. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), K-5 students in more than 90 percent of elementary schools participate in regularly scheduled recess during the school day. Given the high rate of participation, recess offers a unique opportunity for educators to redefine recess as more than just a chance for physical activity and incorporate social-emotional health topics – such as empathy, conflict resolution and relationship skills.  

“Healthier Generation is excited to collaborate with Laureus USA and Red Nose Day to highlight the importance of recess and its role in positive youth development,” said Brian Weaver, Chief Program Officer at Healthier Generation. “Research shows that kids’ health greatly influences their ability to succeed in school. Reimagine Recess invites educators to consider creative ways that recess can support student health and well-being, both physically and emotionally.” 

As part of the campaign, an interactive resource center is available for educators to access innovative tools and resources, as well as create a customized recess guide to meet the unique needs of their school environment.  

“Red Nose Day is on a mission to End Child Poverty. A crucial part of the process is raising awareness of the issue especially with the next generation,” said Rick Scott, Senior Vice President of Grants and Philanthropy, Red Nose Day. “Our Red Nose Day in School program offers free educational resources to help teachers foster empathy-building in the classroom – but we realize that the opportunity for social-emotional learning doesn’t stop there. We are thrilled to lend our support to this program, in partnership with Laureus USA and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.”  

Schools are encouraged to promote their reimagined recess on social media using the hashtag #ReimagineRecess. Participating schools will have a chance to win one of two $2,500 grants from Laureus USA to purchase recess equipment for their school. The grant entry period begins today and ends on October 26, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Two grant winners will be announced in early November. 

“At Laureus USA, we strongly believe that recess is just as important as reading or math in developing healthy and happy children,” said Benita Fitzgerald Mosley, CEO of Laureus USA and Olympic Gold Medalist. “It is our hope that Reimagine Recess will help more educators tap into the social, emotional and physical benefits of this important time during the school day.” 

For more information about Reimagine Recess and access to the resource center, visit ReimagineRecess.org.  

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About the Alliance for a Healthier Generation 

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation believes every child deserves a healthy future. For more than a decade, Healthier Generation has been empowering kids to develop lifelong healthy habits by ensuring the environments that surround them provide and promote good health. Driven by our passion that all young people deserve a chance to live healthier lives, our work has helped up to 28 million kids across the country. Make a difference at HealthierGeneration.org and join us on Facebook and Twitter. 

About Laureus Sport for Good Foundation / Laureus USA 

Laureus Sport for Good Foundation believes that sport has the power to change the world, as proclaimed by our founding patron Nelson Mandela. We are a grant-making, nonprofit organization that supports the growth and deepens the impact of 50 sport and youth development organizations nationwide. Through our Sport for Good Cities initiative, we unite communities to challenge the inequities facing underserved youth through the power of sport. Our local investments in cities improve the lives of more than 350,000 kids annually. Laureus USA is a proud member of the global Laureus network, which includes national Laureus Sport for Good Foundations, the Laureus World Sports Academy, and the Laureus World Sports Awards. Learn more about Sport for Good at http://www.LaureusUSA.com. 

About Red Nose Day USA / Red Nose Day in School 

Red Nose Day USA is a fundraising campaign run by the non-profit organization Comic Relief USA, also known as Comic Relief Inc., is a registered U.S. 501(c)(3) public charity. Red Nose Day started in the U.K., built on the foundation that the power of entertainment can drive positive change, and has raised over $1 billion since the campaign’s founding in 1988. Since launching in the U.S. in 2015, Red Nose Day has raised over $145 million. Money raised by Red Nose Day USA supports programs that keep children in need safe, healthy and educated both in America and abroad. Red Nose Day USA has received generous support from millions of Americans, hundreds of celebrities and many outstanding partners, including Walgreens, NBC, Mars, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. For more information about Red Nose Day and its impact, visit www.rednoseday.org. Follow @RedNoseDayUSA on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. 

Red Nose Day in School, a Red Nose Day USA program, provides educators with free resources to help students understand the issue of child poverty, develop empathy, and inspire them to create positive change — one nose at a time. To access the 2018/19 school year activities visit www.RedNoseDayinSchool.org.