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Rhinebeck Central School District Finalist In Nationwide Competition

Physical Educators at Chancellor Livingston School in Rhinebeck Kevin Yarnell and Ryan Edson, announced that the elementary school is a finalist in a nationwide competition to fund a new fitness playground for students and the broader community. 

From left: Mia Goodwin, Jacob Stephan, Marin Tortarella, and Luca Hammill-Dutt.

From left: Mia Goodwin, Jacob Stephan, Marin Tortarella, and Luca Hammill-Dutt.

Photo Credit: Rhinebeck Central School District

During its final phase, a nationwide voting contest is taking place which is open to the public - and the “Dannon Danimals and Project Fit America Back to School Grant Contest” will ultimately grant $25,000 for playground equipment to each of four schools that secure the highest number of votes during the period of January 5-31, 2018. In addition, Project Fit America will underwrite $7,000 of playground building and installation expenses for each of those top four schools.

Over 300 Hudson Valley businesses Hudson Valley have agreed to support Rhinebeck in this nationwide grant contest, according to Yarnell and Edson, and the duo is now appealing to all individuals in the community to share this voting link far and wide to improve chances of being awarded the funds: danimalsshopriteschoolcontest.young-america.com. (Select Chancellor Livingston Elementary, enter email address, and click submit.) Community members can also build momentum by posting voting information to social media channels with hashtag: #DannonsbestisCLS.

Says Edson, “In an era of the 2% tax cap, funding for new playground equipment is extremely difficult to secure. This grant would not only cover costs of equipment and installation, but would help promote lifetime fitness and wellness for our entire community. The existing playground is outdated and does not maximize the property’s capacity; this presents an extraordinary opportunity for our students and for all area residents.”

Added Yarnell, “here at Chancellor Livingston, we believe that elementary physical education provides the basic foundation for the development of healthy and active students. By offering our youth, their families, and all residents a chance to enjoy an outdoor fitness venue, we are sending a strong message about the importance of making wellness a priority. We’ve made it this far, and now that we are finalists, we need everyone to get online and vote - it’s such a simple thing to do - takes a few minutes each day - and everyone will reap the benefits for years to come.”

Principal Brett King continued, “this is an exciting time for our district; our Physical Education department has worked so hard to bring us to this point. I hope that we can get every family to share voting information on social media channels and with colleagues, friends, and neighbors so that we can bring this to the finish line; it will no doubt be a fantastic value-add for our students and everyone in the Rhinebeck area who comes out to enjoy it once complete.”

Voting is open to anyone age 13 and older who resides in CT, DE, MD, NJ, NY, or PA. Limit one vote per day per email address.

Learn more at danimalsshopriteschoolcontest.young-america.com

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