Northeast Dubois Intermediate School gets $500 adaptive PE grant

Northeast Dubois Intermediate School in Dubois received a $500 grant for adaptive physical education equipment, giving teachers a small but targeted tool to make movement more accessible for students with physical or developmental needs. The award was part of a July 13, 2026 announcement from the American Heart Association and the National Football League that named five Indiana schools for grant funding.

At Northeast Dubois Intermediate, 5379 Main St., Dubois, the grant is aimed at helping grades 3-6 students participate more fully in gym class and other activity-based learning. For a school inside the Northeast Dubois County School Corporation, adaptive equipment can mean the difference between watching from the side and taking part in the same lesson with classmates. That matters most for children who need modified activities, different pacing or extra support to stay included in physical education.

The American Heart Association says its $500 Inclusive PE Grants are designed to support adaptive physical education programs so students of all abilities can participate in physical activity. The organization ties the school grants to a larger public-health problem: children ages 6-17 should get at least 60 minutes a day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, but about 1 in 5 U.S. children live with obesity and about 1 in 5 get that recommended daily movement. The NFL provides a $350,000 annual funding pool for the school grants through NFL PLAY 60.

Northeast Dubois was one of five Indiana recipients in this round. The others were Emmanuel Christian School in Wabash, Lakewood Park Christian School in Auburn, Rock Creek Community Academy in Sellersburg and Washington Township Elementary in Valparaiso. Nationally, the American Heart Association and the NFL said 188 schools in 45 states received grants in April, showing the program is part of a broader effort to push more children into regular, school-based activity.

The grant program is linked to the Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge, which the American Heart Association describes as school-based service-learning fundraising programs that help students build healthy habits. The association also says schools can apply year-round, leaving open the possibility that other Dubois County schools could pursue similar support in future cycles.