Clever Crazes for Kids launches national wellness initiative at CPS

Clever Crazes for Kids, an online wellness initiative set to go national, was unveiled locally at South Avondale School last week in a partnership with Cincinnati Public schools.

“We could not be more excited to launch this program in Cincinnati Public Schools,” says Dianne Dunkelman, founder and CEO of CCK. “This program incorporates elements that children really love – fun games, lively animation and a bit of competition – to keep them engaged in activities that will improve their well-being throughout their lives.”


Dunkelman, of Cincinnati, is also founder and CEO of Speaking of Women’s Health. It also started small as a one-day event in Cincinnati. It’s now a national foundation with more than 50 conferences in 40 cities nationwide.


CCK is an animated, interactive web site that helps kids aged 6-12 learn about the importance of good nutrition, exercise, self esteem and being kind to the environment. It offers the tools to make healthy life choices through quizzes and games like Ultimate Shopping Cart Race and Grow Garden Grow. There’s also a virtual Green house, where kid avatars walk children through environmentally friendly acts like turning off water when brushing their teeth and turning off their computers when they’re done using them.


Any child can use CCK at home as well, but either a parent or teacher must sign them up for the site to use many features. And CPS students must have parent permission to participate.


Cincinnati Public Schools is the first school district in the nation to use the program. And as an incentive to get students on board, bi-monthly cash prizes will be awarded to the CPS schools that have both the highest number of users and the highest-scoring students in CCK’s games. A total of $25,000 in prizes will be awarded each bi-monthly period.


Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: Dawn L. Grady, CPS

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