As 2012 comes to a close, we are taking a moment to reflect on HSC's work this year and on the reasons we believe this effort is so important. Thank you for being part of this movement!
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Physical activity boosts kids’ energy and can power them through a day of learning—and a lifetime of better health. Plus, jump rope, hula hoop, running and playing kick up the fun in a child’s school experience while bolstering imagination and social skills. For kids’ learning, for their health and for their love of play, Healthy Schools Campaign advocates for recess and physical activity at school.
Learn more and help make sure kids can run and play in your community! To hear stories from advocates, parents, teachers and principals who are bringing physical activity back into the school day, visit the exercise and recess section of HSC’s blog. For practical tips on boosting physical activity in school, download our tip sheet [pdf].
Give the
gift of activity. You have the power to make sure every child has the
chance to run and play. Your gift supports Healthy Schools Campaign’s
ongoing advocacy for recess, physical education and opportunities for
physical activity in the classroom. This brings great benefits not only
for kids’ health, but for their learning as well.
Make a gift »
HSC Impact: Parents Win Back Recess
In
Chicago, for example, parents in HSC’s Parents United for Healthy
Schools coalition gathered thousands of petitions, spoke at board
meetings and contacted elected leaders in a strong show of support for
bringing back recess. With HSC’s support, parents worked with specific
principals to overcome barriers to recess and prove that it would be a
success. When parents started working on this issue, only 6 percent of
public elementary schools in Chicago offered recess. This year, recess
returned to all elementary schools.
Physical activity breaks improve elementary school students’ ability to stay on task during academic work by 20 percent. (Mahar MT, Murphy SK, Rowe DA, et al. Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise, 38(12): 2086-94, 2006.)
At Healthy Schools
Campaign, we work to ensure that all children have access to school
environments that support their health and learning. To learn more or talk in detail about this effort, we invite you to contact us or visit healthyschoolscampaign.org.
In the weeks ahead, we will share more about our work for healthy
school food and environmental health. Thank you for being part of the
movement for healthy schools!
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