COEUR d'ALENE - When pictures of Superman, Batman and Green Lantern sporting milk mustaches filled the screen in the school gym Monday, Fernan Elementary students roared.

But when pictures of Fernan staff with a patch of white milk above their upper lips popped up next, they cheered louder, howled longer and in general, went nuts.

Later during the assembly, they danced, waved, and giggled. Their energy could have powered the building.

Teachers want to point all that strength and spirit in the right direction with "Fuel Up to Play 60."

"I'm excited that we are finally going to focus on health in a balanced way for kids," said first-grade teacher Linda Hannon, a member of a committee that landed a grant to fund the nationwide program at the Coeur d'Alene school of about 350 students.

Sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the National Football League, Fuel Up to Play 60 encourages kids to eat smart and stay fit.

It puts an emphasis on good foods, like fruits and vegetables, and warns against munching down the bad ones, like chips, sodas and candy.

It also aims to keep kids running, jumping, kicking and throwing.

"We want Fernan to be known and the students to be known as the smart, healthy, athletic kids," said teacher Linda Bennett.

Staff went all out Monday to motivate students. They brought in Coeur d'Alene High School cheerleaders and the Viking mascot, past and present athletes from Fernan, and bopped to "Trashin' the Camp" from the animated movie "Tarzan."

The program will include a speaker each month to talk about nutrition. Teachers have Dairy Council curriculum for their classrooms. Students will pledge to eat healthful foods and play an hour a day. The school will also kick off its annual "Run for Fun" program after spring break.

Last year, students ran 2,611.5 miles.

"This year, I want to go even farther," said Brenda Harlan, parent and coordinator of Run for Fun.

She'll lead the charge to encourage them to run 3,000 miles with treats, prizes, cheers and the incentive of a free T-shirt.

"Is everybody ready to run?" she yelled

"Yeah!" students screamed back.

"Get your sneakers all warmed up," Harland answered.

Bennett said Fuel Up to Play 60 is an ideal program because it balances activity and nutrition.

"It worries me, the lack of activity that kids have. I worry," she said.

For good reason.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 17 percent, 12.5 million, of U.S. children and adolescents aged 2-19 years are obese. Since 1980, obesity prevalence among U.S. children and adolescents has almost tripled, CDC says.

The health risks of childhood obesity are many. CDC says it can lead to high blood pressure, breathing and joint problems, and liver disease.

Hannon said nutrition and activity must be part of education.

"We've got to get kids moving," she said.

Her first-grade class has been studying different foods and learned to beware of eating too many "extras" like bacon.

"Too bad, it's my favorite," said student Haven Madrid.

Fourth-grader Chloe Butler is on the right track.

She loves playing basketball and snacks on fruit at home.

"Usually fruit in our house goes by really fast," she said, smiling.

Chloe even cut back on one of her favorite foods, doughnuts.

"I only get them sometimes," she said.