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School Challenge FAQs

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1. DO I PARTICIPATE IN THE SCHOOL CHALLENGE ON MY OWN OR TOGETHER WITH MY WHOLE SCHOOL/ORGANIZATION? 

Each option works! For collective energy and encouragement around the School Challenge, some schools and organizations like everyone to complete the Challenge together, while others prefer that individual classrooms or groups participate on their own. If your school or organization would like to participate together, designate a coordinator to communicate with all staff which month everyone should sign up for. Choose the month you'd like to participate in and sign-up by the 15th of the month prior. 

 

2. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER WE SIGN-UP FOR THE SCHOOL CHALLENGE? 

You'll receive program materials and communications for the month you chose during sign-up. Prior to your participation month, each teacher or leader participating will receive a welcome email with more details about the School Challenge. In addition, a weekly email with more activity ideas will be sent to your inbox each Sunday. If you would like to explore activity ideas sooner, feel free to browse the School Challenge Resource Galleries (found online here), or any other activity on the PowerUp website, and remember, you can also choose to use one of your own activity ideas. 

Reminder: School Challenge focuses on the three PowerUp themes: Eat Better, Move More, and Feel Good. Learn more about how to talk about each of the PowerUp themes in question #8 below.  

Haven’t signed up yet? Sign-up here!  

 

3. WITH PROGRAM ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES ONLINE, CAN WE STILL GET PAPER MATERIALS? 

Absolutely! We have PowerUp magazines available in print for qualifying Minnesota and Wisconsin schools. Teachers or youth leaders interested in receiving print materials can request them when they sign-up to participate. In addition, all materials and resources on our PowerUp website are open-access and available for free. Feel free to download and print your own.

Please note: Teachers can implement the School Challenge activities any time after signing up, and do not need to wait for materials to arrive. If a teacher forgets to request materials or changes their mind, please email your PowerUp program contact. 

 

4. WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE PARTICIPATION REWARD? 

Each classroom or group that completes the School Challenge will earn a $20 Amazon Gift Card to be used to promote student wellness (amount may vary by location). These reward dollars are used to show our support and appreciation for your commitment in helping students PowerUp. 

After fully completing the Challenge and taking the post-challenge survey, PowerUp staff will email the Amazon Gift Card to participating teachers or leaders by the 15th of the following month. Note: One reward per classroom or group. 

  

5. WHAT ABOUT VEGGIES? CAN WE HAVE STUDENTS DO A VEGGIES TASTING? 

Please ask your school leader. If your school supports having an in-person veggie tasting, please use the Veggie Tasting Guide to work with Nutrition Services at your school or district. 

  

6. WILL STUDENT TRACKERS BE TURNED IN AND COUNTED?       

Not this year! You can choose to use Student Trackers as part of your School Challenge activities if you would like, however, we will not be collecting or counting them to determine participation. Student trackers are available online, digitally or for print, in the School Challenge Resource Galleries. 

Our goal is to keep the School Challenge easy and flexible for any learning platform, whether inside a classroom or virtually from home. You can choose what activities are best for your classroom or group. 

  

7. CAN WE DO THE WINTER WARM-UP ALONGSIDE THE SCHOOL CHALLENGE AGAIN THIS YEAR? 

In previous years, the Winter Warm-Up could be completed simultaneously with the School Challenge. Since the Winter Warm-Up is a 10-day Challenge specific to the winter months, the duration of the program no longer aligns with the 5-day Move More week of the School Challenge.  

You can still participate in the Winter Warm-Up to encourage kids to stay active in the cold winter months! We simply ask that classrooms or groups interested in the Winter Warm-Up to participate in a different month. 

 

8. HOW DO I TALK ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO EAT BETTER, MOVE MORE AND FEEL GOOD? 

Eat Better 

PowerUp approaches the topic of eating better by encouraging kids to Try for 5 or more fruits and veggies every day. We know that most kids and adults are not getting enough fruits and vegetables in their diets on a daily basis, and that getting a jump start on healthy habits and preferences early in childhood will set the stage for a lifetime of eating better.  

Key Messages for students: Keep the message simple and fun. 

  • It is important to “Try for 5” or more fruits and veggies every day. ALL forms of fruits and veggies count (fresh, frozen, canned, dried, etc.). 
  • Fruits and veggies help “PowerUp” our body and brain, and help you: 
      • feel good 
      • feel strong 
      • think/learn better 
      • grow up healthy 
  • “Trying for 5” fruits and vegetables is about being curious and exploring your senses – look at it, smell it, touch it and taste it. The idea is to try something new. It’s okay if you like it or don’t – it’s a fun adventure and you never know what you might discover! 

Move More 

Movement is important for growing bodies and brains. Moving more means doing anything that gets our hearts pumping faster, warms our body up and is fun! Every kid’s body loves to move in different ways, and childhood is the perfect time to explore new ways to move that are fun. When kids find fun ways to move that they enjoy, they are more likely to try new activities, build confidence, find joy in being active and develop an interest that can last a lifetime. 

Key messages for students: 

  • Our bodies were made to move and feel their best when we are active. 
  • Being active: 
      • builds strong bones and muscles 
      • increases energy and focus 
      • helps you feel good 
  • “Moving More” means to move our bodies for 60 minutes or more every day. It doesn’t have to be all at once – it can be broken down into 5-10 minutes bursts. It can be anything that gets your heart pumping faster, gets you warmed up and is fun! 
  • Everyone’s body loves to move in different ways. The options are endless when exploring new ways to get moving. 
  • Everybody needs water! Water is the best thing to drink throughout the day to help our body feel good. 
  • Our body loses water every day when we move more, sweat, digest food, and just by sitting around. 
  • Sugary drinks can zap your energy and offer little nutrition for kids’ growing bodies and brains. 

  

Feel Good 

We know there is a connection between eating better, moving more and feeling good. Feeling good is about finding ways to promote mental wellness with mindful activities, such as: art, music, calming movement or stretching, taking a break, deep breathing, gratitude activities and other ways to help our bodies and brains recharge.  

Key messages for students: 

  • There is a connection between eating better, moving more and feeling good. 
  • Breathing and recharge activities can help your body and brain feel focused and calm. 
  • Recharging with brain breaks or other mindful activities can: 
      • Help you feel calm and focused 
      • Manage your feelings 
      • Boost your brain power and confidence 
      • Improve sleep 
      • Help you feel good 
  • You can help calm yourself with deep breathing, stretching or other calming activities like art, music, calming movement or talking with others.