On October 28, students and staff at Randolph Elementary school held a ribbon cutting event to celebrate the completion of new educational blacktop art that encourages more physical activity and outdoor play. Regular physical activity is essential to help children build strong muscles and bones, improve fine motor skills, focus better in the classroom, and improve their mental health.
Healthy Community Action Team (HCAT) Arlington received funding from Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth (VFHY) and Arlington Foundation for Families and Youth (ArlFFY) to cover the cost of the project and hire a local artist to paint the blacktop murals at two Title 1 schools, Randolph Elementary and Carlin Springs Elementary. Schools are designated as Title 1 schools if they have 45% or higher free and reduced-price lunch eligibility rates and Randolph and Carlin Springs Elementary School’s free and reduced-price lunch rates are both higher than 70% and serve a high percentage of students of color.