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Amelie Ramirez's picture

School is back.

But many Latino families live near schools that lock courts, fields, and playgrounds after class—meaning kids miss the physical, mental, and social benefits of physical activity and play.

That’s why Salud America! has a new campaign to urge schools to boost public access to recreational facilities. Salud America! is a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation national program to prevent Latino childhood obesity based at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio (@SaludToday on social media).

Here are three actions Latina moms and all moms can take today to boost play for kids:

DOWNLOAD Salud Today's free toolkit for parents with easy steps to achieve open use of school rec facilities!

SIGN Salud Today's letter campaign to urge your state PTA association to help schools develop shared or open policies for rec facilities!

SHARE photos on social media of rec facilities you want kids to be able to play on, tag with #ActiveSpaces, and enter a random drawing for a free Jawbone fitness tracker!

Latino kids and families tend to live in neighborhoods with limited access to physical activity that helps promote healthy weight and physical, social, and emotional development.

Open and shared use policies can increase opportunities for physical activity and play among families.

Schools can adopt an “open use” policy to formally grant public access to its recreational facilities after school hours. Schools also can work with other groups to develop a “shared use agreement,” a contract to allow the sharing of school facilities for the public or groups after hours.

Don’t miss this opportunity to download our toolkit, sign the letter, and learn more about sharing active spaces photos to show support for these healthy school changes.

Truly, the future health and weight of Latino and all children depends on accessible opportunities for physical activity and play.


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