The following release was submitted by Phil Ellingsworth Jr., representing the Spring-Ford Area School District:

LIMERICK — Spring-Ford Area School District employees lost a collective 285.2 pounds over the last three months as part of an annual districtwide weight loss challenge, which also doubled as a fundraiser for SNAP (Students Need an Alternative Party) — the committee that organizes the high school’s annual post-prom party.

To participate in the second annual Spring-Ford Weight Loss Challenge, employees agreed to donate $10 to SNAP, and then joined in a competition to see which building’s employees could lose the most weight. The contest, which brought in $620 for SNAP, began Jan. 6 and ended March 23. The buildings that lost the most weight by percentage are:

1.       Limerick Elementary School — 4.2 percent

2.       5-6 Grade Center — 3.75 percent

3.       Spring City Elementary School — 3.74 percent

4.       Oaks Elementary School — 3.46 percent

5.       Seventh-Grade Center — 2.93 percent

6.       Upper Providence Elementary School — 2.84 percent

7.       Evans Elementary School — 2.54 percent

8.       District Administration Office — 1.22 percent

9.       Eighth-Grade Center — .27 percent

District employees used a variety of methods to stay motivated during the weight loss challenge, such as training to perform in SNAP’s “Dancing with the Stars” event and encouraging one another along the way. School nurses kept their teams engaged by sending emails, token gifts, recipes and exercise tips.

Evans Elementary School Nurse Laura McNeil explained that the annual challenge is a fantastic way to promote staff health and well-being, while raising money for an event that provides students with safe and fun activities after their prom night has concluded.

“It was really exciting to see so many educators and administrators join together and make a true effort to become healthier individuals, while also supporting such a great cause,” McNeil said. “It’s my hope that the people who lost weight will be encouraged to keep up with the exercise and healthy eating habits they have developed.”