Christmas will come early to Scituate schools, thanks to a $740,000 federal grant that will allow the district to buy new gym equipment for the high school, indoor climbing walls, Wii Fit systems for the elementary schools and a mobile fitness lab for the middle school.

New pedometers, heart rate monitors and software programs will allow students to track their wellness and fitness goals. And students will get the chance to learn inline skating, snowshoeing, yoga and gymnastics.

Dance-Dance Revolution, a music video game series, will be added to the physical education curriculum at the middle school and elementary students will learn lessons in anti-bullying by using recess kits from the Peaceful Playgrounds program.

It may sound like fun and games, but it’s all aimed at improving health and wellness and keeping students active when many would rather be using a computer.

the money comes from the Carol M. White Physical Education Program, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. Scituate is receiving one of the top grant amounts among the 93 school districts and private organizations awarded money.

Assistant Superintendent James Kelleher and Greg Ranieri, the Scituate school district’s department chairman for coordinated wellness, worked several weeks this summer preparing the application for the so-called PEP grant.

“the grant is highly competitive, and it was actually our second time applying for it,” Kelleher said. “we came very close to winning the first time, so we went back to the drawing board, reviewed the feedback we had gotten and made improvements to strengthen the grant.”

Kelleher said the grant will allow the district to implement programs that otherwise wouldn’t be possible. the district plans to expand its physical education programs and strengthen its partnerships with the town recreation department and the South Shore YMCA. the money will be spent during the next two years at every grade level – but because much of it is going toward equipment and supplies, students will benefit for years to come, Kelleher said.

For example, when the high school’s Colby Cutler Fitness Center gets its new fleet of cardiovascular equipment – treadmills, elliptical machines, stair climbers, rowing machines and an adaptive motion trainer – the existing equipment will be moved to Gates Intermediate School to set up a new fitness center for students and faculty.

in applying for the grant, the district had to show how it would use the money to further its physical education programs. the district outlined three major goals: implementing “new physical education” to promote lifelong wellness for students; using adventure equipment and programs to promote team building and fitness; and having students use technology to track their progress.

Teachers will be receiving training on the curriculum. A committee will be formed to oversee implementation of the grant. more information will be provided at the Oct. 18 school committee meeting.

“I feel a great duty to this grant and I want to see it go smoothly,” Ranieri told the school committee Monday night. “I want us to be a landmark district with this grant.”

Jennifer Mann may be reached at jmann@ledger.com.