Did you know that one in every nine schoolchildren is diagnosed with ADHD? Think about that. To these kids, the world feels like it's speeding past them and impossible to slow down. It can be incredibly isolating—I know, because I have ADHD. But what would you say if I told you that the simple act of riding a bike could help these kids? Through the work of the Specialized Foundation, we're finding this to be true.Our kids deserve better. We're discovering that riding can help improve focus and clarity for kids with ADHD, but 50% of American schools still don't provide the minimum daily requirements for physical activity. The Specialized Foundation, however, is taking matters into its own hands with something we call Riding for Focus. We're working with dozens of schools throughout the country to get kids on bikes as part of their school day, and the results have been more than encouraging. In fact, it's been so successful that we're expanding the program to 20 more middle schools this year alone.
The Foundation has partnered with top medical researchers at Stanford, and we're finding that physical exercise has a positive influence on brain function. And because kids of nearly any fitness level can get on a bike and go, more kids can get moving and start benefiting from exercise than we ever thought possible. The Riding for Focus program is helping to form more confidence, better relationships, and higher performance in the classroom for these kids. We're heavily invested in funding research, and we're finding that riding promises to be an exciting new tool in improving health.
Bottom line is that we're committed to doing the right thing, and where we see a chance to help, we're going to do it. We make bikes, and bikes help kids. But we can't do it alone. We need people like you to get involved and join the movement, and together, we'll make a difference for generations to come. Together, let's outride ADHD.
Thanks,
Mike
THE SPECIALIZED FOUNDATION
ANNOUNCEMENTS
July 7, 2017
Riding For Focus Newsletter #6
In this issue of Riding for Focus, we announce our latest grant recipients, check in at Tarkanian Middle School in Las Vegas to see how they're implementing the program, and set forth a summer haiku challenge.
May 23, 2017
Press Release – May 23, 2017
The Specialized Foundation announced the 20 middle schools selected for the 2017-2018 Riding for Focus school program. The program integrates cycling into the physical education curriculum as a means to help students improve academic, health, and social success.
May 4, 2017
Press Release – May 4, 2017
The Specialized Foundation announces plan to expanding Riding for Focus bike program through partnering with organizations for matching grants. By securing grants the program will be able to roll out to additional schools and positively impact student’s classroom performance nationwide.
May 2, 2017
Riding For Focus Newsletter #5
In this issue of Riding for Focus, we speak with program champion, Jo Giordano, from the Evergreen Community Charter School and the amazing dealer, Motion Makers Bicycle Shop in Asheville, NC. There's also plenty of new media to consume, some insightful tech tips, and the latest spring reading.
March 21, 2017
Riding For Focus Newsletter #4
In this issue of Riding for Focus, we have a conversation with the champions behind the P186X Walter J. Damrosch School in the Bronx to see our school program in action, highlight some summer reading, and shine a light on how-to find your kid's heart rate zones in our new Tech Corner.
February 27, 2017
Press Release - February 27, 2017
We opened applications for their cycling program, Riding for Focus, to middle schools (grades 6-9) throughout the USA for the 2017-18 academic year. The application period is open now through March 24th.
February 27, 2017
Riding For Focus Newsletter #3
In this issue of Riding for Focus, we pay a visit to the AIM Academy of Conshohocken, PA and have a Q&A with School Program Champion, Anne Rock, share the latest news from the program, and discuss what's coming up in the world of grants and how to be a part of it.
FEBRUARY 3, 2017
Riding For Focus Newsletter #2
In this issue, we announce the application window for schools looking to receive a Riding for Focus national grant for 2017-18; shine a spotlight on a school currently implementing the Riding for Focus program; learn about our partnership with Central Michigan University; and share news updates on The Specialized Foundation’s latest work.
December 13, 2016
Riding For Focus Newsletter #1
The Specialized Foundation is pleased to introduce the first issue of our newsletter, Riding for Focus. We want to be a valuable resource of information that can enrich and expand your knowledge of how kids can benefit from cycling in academics and health. The newsletter is our way to share Foundation progress, along with news and updates on our Riding for Focus school cycling programs, medical research, and our partnerships.
JUNE 27, 2016
The Specialized Foundation Announces Riding For Focus Grant Recipients
We're thrilled to announce the eight middle schools selected for the national rollout of our Riding for Focus school program. This program's aim is to integrate cycling into physical education curriculum as a means to help students improve academic, health, and social success.To start, eight grant recipients were selected from a pool of over 200 middle schools nationwide, and each of these schools will launch their programs in Fall of 2016. The applications were remarkably competitive, and the grant committee was deeply inspired by each school's passion to better their students' experiences and performances through cycling.
Each of the selected schools will receive staff training and equipment with the goal of creating a lasting school program for at least two years. And if you're curious of what this entails, each school will receive up to 30 youth bikes and helmets, a starter maintenance kit, a program curriculum, a partnership with their local Specialized retailer to help service the bikes, and a trip for the Program Champion to Specialized Headquarters in Morgan Hill, CA for program training and support.
Please join us in congratulating the grant recipients: Tarkanian Middle School, Las Vegas, NV | Pioneer Valley Regional School, Northfield, MA | Montevideo Middle School, Penn Laird, VA | Evergreen Community Charter School, Asheville, NC | Whatcom Middle School, Bellingham, WA | Pinelands Regional Junior High School, Little Egg Harbor, NJ | AIM Academy, Conshohocken, PA | P186X, Walter J. Damrosch, The Bronx, NY
JUNE 1, 2016
The Specialized Foundation Announces Partnership with Stanford Medical School to Advance the Science Behind Cycling and Cognitive Function
Stanford Research, with support from The Specialized Foundation, aims to better understand the effects of exercise on brain function and cognition in children with ADHD. “Right now, there is a gap in the scientific community around ADHD,” said Reiss, Director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences Research and the Howard C. Robbins Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Stanford University School of Medicine. “Physicians and families have observed the benefits that physical activities can have for some children with ADHD, but the formal research to quantify and explain those benefits are lacking. Our hope is to one day understand how each individual is affected by genetics, the environment, and other factors and how treatments like exercise make a difference from one person to the next.”
Learn more about this exciting partnership: Lucille Packard Children's Hospital.
Qualified postdoctoral candidates can learn more about opportunities to join Reiss’ team: NIRS.
MARCH 15, 2016
Riding For Focus School Program—Bring the Program to Your Community
Applications are now closed for our 2016/2017 Riding for Focus school program. Applications for the 2017/2018 school year will be available in the spring of 2017. Please subscribe to the newsletter to get program application updates.
