Kathy Preheim, Peabody-Burns Elementary School curriculum director, has received a Healthy Habits for Life grant for nearly $820 from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation.

Preheim’s grant was one of 112 given to applicants who will develop programs to help school age children reduce their cardiovascular risk, increase their physical activity, or learn healthy eating habits.

The amount of each grant was based on the applicant’s request for the proposed program up to $1,000.

“The grant will be used to purchase fitness steps for students at PBES,” Preheim said. “The students can use them along with a video or music to help them become more aware of another way in which people can become more physically fit.

“We are trying to teach the students about lifelong habits that encourage physical fitness,” she said. “Giving students options about healthy lifestyle choices will hopefully encourage them to stay active.

“The steps will initially be used on late-start days as a supervised activity for the students who arrive at the regular time,” Preheim added. “We hope to get enough to eventually have a classroom sized set that can be checked out and used by anyone at PBES.”