Healthy Schools Campaign

Physical Activity Spotlight: Teachers Motivate Students With Hustle Up Hamilton

At HSC, we're always looking for new ideas to make fitness a fun part of the school day and an integral component of the school community. Here, we learn how Hamilton Elementary School transformed its entire school building into a fun fitness challenge, setting a great example for students in the process. 

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At Hamilton Elementary School in Chicago, faculty members on the school’s wellness team, including preschool teacher Nichole Moos, physical education teacher Steve Skweres and 1st grade teacher Liz Busch, launched an activity to motivate their colleagues to get fit and have fun.

Skweres suggested doing Hustle Up the Hancock, an annual charity race where participants climb the stairs of the iconic John Hancock Building. This was a little too ambitious, so the team decided to scale it down and create a similar event in their three-floor school building -- and Hustle Up Hamilton was born.

Staff members start at the first floor, walk or run up two flights of stairs to get to the gym, walk or run through the gym and then come back down the stairs. This counts as one circuit, and the goal of the event is to see how many circuits you can complete in a half-hour time limit. Moos even made a playlist for the event with all the staff’s favorite high-energy songs, on which they were delighted to include Principal James Gray's choice, ‘90s hit “Pump Up the Jam” by Technotronic.

The planners agreed that the day was a success! Staff members at all levels of fitness participated, from those who were running marathons to those who found a challenge in climbing stairs. Some chose to walk and others ran the whole time, and everyone had the opportunity to get active and set some goals. They said everyone was surprised by how many laps they could do. Skweres says goal-setting was a key element to the exercise, and even if staff members could only complete one circuit, that was okay.

“The purpose isn’t so that everyone gets really skinny,” Moos added. “Fitness looks different for every single person, and we were asking people to set goals and try to stick with them.”

All three staff members emphasized the importance of the students seeing the teachers promoting fitness and setting a positive example.

“My kids were actually here on Friday when we did it,” Busch says. “The kids come on professional development days and they got to watch us run the first half of it. They were giving us high-fives and when I got to the classroom, they asked if I won the race, and I said, ‘We weren’t winning, we were doing it together.’ It’s good for us to be models for our students.”

This is the first year Hamilton Elementary has had a wellness team, and they’ve already put together some fantastic initiatives in addition to Hustle Up Hamilton. There’s the ongoing, all-levels staff yoga class led by a yoga instructor parent, an upcoming professional development day where Purple Asparagus will lead a healthy cooking demonstration for staff and mental health-promoting activities including “warm fuzzies,” where teachers give compliments and do random acts of kindness for one another. Ideas in the works include a basketball tournament to raise money for wellness programming and a professional development session on reading labels. Hamilton also plans to work towards the highest levels of success in meeting the HealthierUS Schools Challenge.

The team is looking to hold Hustle Up Hamilton again at the end of the school year to see how much the runners have improved, and anticipate many more great opportunities for fitness and fun. “We were professional athletes that day,” Moos jokes.

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Thanks to Hamilton Elementary for sharing their story with us! Tell us: Could you replicate this great idea at your school?

Case Study: How Healthy, Active Teachers Create a School Culture of Wellness

Today we're featuring a case study from Health in Mind, a new report from HSC and Trust for America’s Health (TFAH), which details immediate solutions that can help close the achievement gap and create a healthy future for all children. Here, we learned about professional development at Namaste Charter School in Chicago.

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by Kadesha Thomas

Namaste students participate in an outdoor exercise break at a nearby park.

It starts with the interview process.

When a prospective new teacher sits down to interview with Allison Slade, founder and principal of Namaste Charter School in Chicago, one of Slade’s first questions is, “What attracts you to our mission?” And then she listens for clues to whether the candidate will integrate into the school’s unique culture.

Namaste’s mission aims for academic excellence, and health and wellness is their way of achieving it. The school was founded in 2004 to fill a void in public education, one Slade felt was setting students up for poor performance by not ensuring that they were physically or psychologically healthy enough to learn. She wanted a school environment in which health and wellness principles—like nutrition and physical activity—were a part of the school’s mission, as well as a personal mission for individual school staff.

“It’s about how they think of themselves as a model for students,” Slade said of prospective teachers. “If you’re always walking around with a pop in your hand, that’s a problem. For students, a teacher’s behavior has an impact on them.”

Namaste’s culture of health and wellness is a shock to many new teachers. The day starts with a 15-minute morning movement, usually a yoga routine to “get younger kids to calm down and get older kids to wake up,” Slade said. The school’s 450 students, kindergarten through eighth grade, have 25 minutes of recess and 60 minutes of physical education each day.

During lunch, students have access to healthy food and learn about why that food is healthy. All teachers teach a 30-minute wellness block every day, where students learn about a pre-selected theme such as the human body, eating a balanced diet, safety and the benefits of physical activity.

Though the health and wellness culture resonates with new teachers’ personal values, most don’t know how to incorporate it into the classroom when they come to Namaste. But the shared mission among the teachers makes it easy for them to learn during Namaste’s rigorous teacher preparation. That preparation starts with a three-day induction specifically for new teachers. Sessions focus on introducing the new teachers to Namaste’s six core pillars—Nutrition/ Health and Wellness, Movement, Peaceful School Culture, Balanced Learning, Language and Culture and Collaborative Practice.

The induction takes place before the school’s summer break begins so that new teachers can observe classes, witness, and, afterward, discuss, how health and wellness are incorporated into the core curricula. The induction Namaste students participate in an outdoor exercise break at a nearby park.30 / Health in Mind / Improving Education Through Wellness / healthinmind.org also includes a session at a nearby yoga studio, to help new teachers understand the foundation for Namaste’s focus on mental health.

Over the summer, new teachers are given core reading and additional training on how to incorporate health and wellness topics into their trimester lesson plans. A seven-day orientation with all teachers also includes additional presentations on infusing health into the classroom. This is also a time when teachers outline the topics for the daily 30-minute wellness blocks. Each Friday afternoon during the school year, teachers come together to review and critique each other’s lesson plans for the coming week.

Student academic performance has confirmed Slade’s conviction that emphasizing health in the classroom boosts learning: nearly 87 percent of Namaste students meet or exceed state academic standards, compared to 73.4 percent throughout the Chicago Public Schools district. Namaste’s daily student attendance rate is also five percentage points higher than the district average.

“Attendance is high because the kids are healthier, so they miss school less,” Slade explained.

Teachers are also demonstrating their commitment to health and wellness among themselves outside of the school day. In May 2012, the staff started an afternoon Zumba class and several teachers have joined local residents to train for the Chicago Half Marathon in September.

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As the year progresses, we'll share more about Health in Mind and the progress of this initiative! For more information or to view the full report, please visit www.healthinmind.org.

Walk! Run! Dance! How Schools Help Kids Exercise Every Day

Photo by Flickr user

Recently we were thrilled to see physical activity spotlighted at schools around the country. 

At Eugene Field Elementary in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, running and walking is suddenly in style. Kids get a bracelet that they can fill with colored shoe charms, earned for meeting their goals. The program  encourages students to collect more charms and get in shape:

“It’s a good way to lose weight, and I like to do it with my best friends,” [Simon Nelsen, a fourth-grader] said.

Last year, he played kickball, soccer or four square during his 15-minute breaks. But this year, “usually, I just run the whole recess.”

Parents and teachers get into the action at Saddlebrook elementary school in northwest Omaha, where students participate in “hike-and-bike Wednesdays,” filling in the gaps left by decreased time for physical education during the school day. 

Teachers meet students at corners in the Saddlebrook neighborhood and walk a few blocks to school. During colder weather, the school takes advantage of the attached community center walking track and allows students to walk inside before school.

“It’s great to get that exercise first thing in the morning,” Saddlebrook Principal Mark Suing said.

But walking isn't for everyone. At Springdale Elementary School in West Columbia, South Carolina, walking routines bored the kids, according to fourth grade teacher Susan Jenkinson. Instead, she said, “this year’s class just loves to dance."  

Jenkinson's approach won accolades this month from the BlueChoice HealthPlan of South Carolina’s WalkingWorks Great Expectations for Health program. Her class was one of two in the state to be honored for increasing physical activity. (Although the BlueChoice program has "walking" in its name, classes could exercise in any format for 300 minutes over the course of 12 weeks.)

 With popular songs like "Gangnam Style" playing throughout the classroom, Jenkinson's students "get the wiggles out" during transition times at several points throughout the day.

At HSC, we encourage teachers and schools to be creative and look for opportunities to integrate physical activity into the school day. Have a great idea that works in your school or classroom? Tell us in the comments below!

Can Video Games Affect Kids' Wellness? New Research on the Connection Between Good Health & Games

At HSC, we've followed with interest over the years as video games have become a bigger part of the conversation about healthy eating and physical activity.  Gaming continues to become more a part of classroom and out-of-school learning. But what impact does it have? Do games really increase physical activity? Do messages about healthy eating of junk food really have an impact on what kids eat? With two new studies in the news, we're taking a moment to check in on this trend.

First, the food: one new study found that games involving food products may encourage unhealthy habits.

According to NPR's story earlier this month on the research:

...Children who play with these games may eat more, and eat more junk food, even if the game features fruit or other healthful choices.

Called "advergames" by their critics, junk food-centric games and apps have names such as "Cookie Dough Bites Factory" and "Candy Sports". It's easy for parents and teachers to guess that these may be dubious choices for chidren. 

But even more intriguingly, all food-themed games seemed to negatively affect kids' eating habits -- even when fruit played a starring role.

The researchers say they assumed that the children who played the fruit game would choose fruit. But boy, were they wrong. All the children who played a food-themed game ate more, and ate more candy, even if they played the fruit game.

"We were very surprised," Frans Folkford, a graduate student in communications at the University of Amsterdam who led the study, tells The Salt. The children who played food-themed games took in about twice as many calories as children who played a non-food game, or played no game at all. The work was published online in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Other studies have found that video games involving fruit can boost kids' fruit consumption -- but also tend to increase their overall calorie consumption. "A lot depends on the game and the actual messages in there," said Jennifer Harris, director of marketing initiatives at the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University. "It's very complicated." In that context, experts say that parents should keep an eye on mobile games and tablet apps. Harris adds: 

Pay attention to what your kids are downloading... A lot of parents figure as long as it's free and it's listed as for children, they assume it's safe and not harmful. You really can't assume that.

Here's the full story on this new research.

And on to physical activity: research also suggests that physically active video games can actually help kids be more active and play a role in efforts to curb childhood obesity. Researchers said: “It appears as though e-gaming may provide an effective adjunct to traditional PE activities in promoting recommended daily levels of — at least in younger children and perhaps in overweight/obese children.”

The lesson, as always, is about getting kids moving in fun, educational ways. We'll continue to follow the research and conversation emerging around games as one approach to boosting activity.

Looking for an offline way to help kids get active? We love the idea of using yoga in the classroom. Check out this post from mindfulness expert Carla Tantillo for more on a unique, engaging way to increase student health!

 

Educator Spotlight: Congrats to Lori Klein-Blazek, Physical Education Award Winner!

This fall, HSC was thrilled to learn that physical education teacher Lori Klein-Blazek was named Illinois Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year by the Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (IAHPERD).   

HSC first met Lori through Fit to Learn, a professional development program that helps teachers make health and wellness a regular part of the classroom experience. Lori, a Chicago Public Schools teacher for more than 27 years, has worked hard to inspire her young students to lead healthier, more active lives. At Jungman Elementary School in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, she’s been responsible for more than 19 heath and physical education programs. Plus she’s helped spark a new partnership with Children’s Memorial Hospital’s KIPP program, which prevents knee injuries amongst young female athletes.

She’s known for being highly invested in her school (where she teaches all grades) and in her individual students. She says: “What makes a good teacher? The kids have to know that you like them. I tell my kids all the time that they're awesome, they’re great and that I'm proud of them." She adds with a smile: "Even when I'm saying, ‘Stop, pick that hockey stick up!’”

She’s also a big believer in teachers stretching their creativity to the limit, making lessons more engaging and active. She recently recycled unwanted foam swimming pool “noodles” by slicing them into hockey pucks. “If you give me something, I can figure out something to do with it,” she says. “I have a million things I can do with popcorn buckets!”

When she first heard about Fit to Learn, she wasn’t sure if the activities would work in her school’s classrooms. But, she says, "All I can do is try.  I talk about Fit to Learn to teachers all the time, and I do some of the activities in PE with the kids. It's good energy. The seminars are fun -- especially for someone like me. I can’t sit still. I’m like, show me, let's get up, let's get moving."

Recently we learned yet another way that she’s connected to HSC: Anayency Elizondo, Administrative Coordinator at HSC, is a former student! Seventeen years later, Anayency still remembers the tough encouragement that’s made Lori so important to her students. 

“I’ve always been terrible at volleyball,” Anayency says. “I remember playing it, and she didn’t really care if you were terrible at it. She would just make you try it and feel good about trying. She encouraged us, however she could.” 

With her signature creativity and energy, Lori Klein-Blazek continues to make learning healthy and fun for her students.

Congratulations, Lori, on your award -- we’re proud that you’re part of HSC’s family of incredible educators!

Weekend Physical Activity Boost: Stay Warm by Staying Fit this Winter!

By Lizzy Parker, HSC communications intern

Lizzy Parker is a junior at Colorado College and a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. As an intern at HSC, she enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for and knowledge about physical activity—and, that it can be fun!

When the thermometer drops, our motivation to exercise often does too.  It can be hard to maintain whatever exercise routine we keep during the summer when the weather turns cold and the days get shorter.  Beckoned by piping cups of hot chocolate and movies, kids are also less inclined to get outdoors.  When my own motivation begins to wane, I remind myself of something I know but often forget: exercise can be fun!
   
Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, I have endured more than my fair share of brutally cold winters.  As a kid, however, the weather never stopped me from being outside.  From walking to and from school with my best friend to weekend afternoons at the outdoor ice rink, I remained active year-round. As kids, we loved it. The winter months are in many ways accommodating for fun-filled activity boosters. Though some of these ideas are obvious, I am here to remind you of them.  This weekend, forgo the screens,  get the family together, and move!

Here are a few of my favorite ideas:

• Ice skating
• Sledding
• Build something: igloos, snowmen, snow family, snow critters, mini golf course  
• Tag football: If you think this is only fun in the summer, think again.  Put on your best snow gear and grab your football.  Hint: this is best played when there is a lot of snow. It is surprisingly satisfying to make a touchdown while falling on a pillowy cloud of fresh snow.
• Snowshoeing: Walking with snowshoes automatically will make you feel more intense.  I guarantee your kids will find this activity very entertaining. Though designed for safely hiking in the mountains during the winter, snowshoeing can be done anywhere.  
• Cross country skiing: All you need is the gear and an open field.  Check your local area for places that rent boots and skis. If you have never does this before, I am warning you it is no joke -- this is a serious cardio workout.  But it is really, really fun.
• Snowball target practice: Snowball fights are fun, but tricky territory.  Someone’s feelings (or more) are bound to get hurt.  Instead, set up a target on a tree and take turns aiming for the bullseye.  
• Treasure hunt: If you have access to a GPS or a smartphone with GPS capabilities, you have all you need for Geocaching.  Geocaching is “a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location.” Don’t have a GPS? Create your own treasure hunt by hiding items in the snow.  

Have fun!

Disclaimer: The recommendations on this blog are not meant to be a substitute for recommendations from your physician. Take care to consult with your physician if you have questions or concerns about beginning a new exercise regimen. As always, if something hurts, don’t do it. Know your body’s limits and refrain for pushing yourself too far, too fast. 

Physical Activity Boost: 12 Days of Fitness

By Lizzy Parker, HSC communications intern

Lizzy Parker is a junior at Colorado College and a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. As an intern at HSC, she enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for and knowledge about physical activity—and, that it can be fun!

During this busy time of year, your schedule is likely packed with holiday shopping, parties, and family get-togethers.  As a result, it can be hard to remember to sneak some exercise in.  On the days leading up to Christmas, try to fit at least 10 minutes of movement into your day.  A simple walk around the neighborhood is great -- but if you are forced indoors by cold temperatures, it is good to have some alternatives.  Any of the following exercises can be done with your kids and don’t require a ton of space. Perform the movements on the days leading up to Christmas.  Who knows, this could become a new tradition!

• Day one: Tree pose.  Hold for one minute. Really focus on one spot on the floor to help with balance.  Make this a silent activity.  There is no better way to reduce holiday stress than taking time, even as little as one minute, for some deep breathing. 

• Day two: Jumping jacks. Aim for two minutes, non-stop.  For a more intense cardio blast, alternate two minutes on with two minutes of rest for 5-6 rounds.  This is a great activity for when you are waiting for those gingerbread men to bake in the oven!

• Day three: Push-ups.  A simple, yet extremely effective movement for the upper body and core.  A great exercise for all ages as it utilizes body weight. If you cannot perform the full movement from your toes, modify by working from your knees.  Be sure to keep that belly tight and do not arch your back.  Complete a set of three during a break from your favorite holiday movie. 

• Day four: Fire log pose.  Sitting in a car or in front of the computer can do a number on your hips.  And tight hips can lead to a host of injuries, primarily lower back pain.  Cozy up in front of the fire place and spend two minutes on each leg.  To make this activity more meditative, close your eyes and focus on your breath.

• Day five: Wall sits.  With your back flush up against a wall, bend your legs until your thighs are parallel to the floor.  Hold for five thirty-second sets and feel the burn. (Seriously -- if you’re the least bit chilled, do a wall sit and you’ll warm right up!)

• Day six: Clockwork lunges.  Start by lunging forward with your right foot to the 12:00 position, and return to center. Then work your way around the clock to the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6:00 (so you will be eventually lunging backwards with your right foot).  Repeat with your left foot, lunging to the 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, and 6:00 positions. 

• Day seven: Legs-up-the-wall pose.  Your legs may be sore from yesterday, so take some time to do a restorative yoga pose.  Grab your favorite holiday book (I’m partial to The Polar Express) and allow yourself to relax into the posture.

• Day eight: Leap! A la The Nutcracker.  Bound back and forth eight times in the hallway, or a nearby park or sidewalk.  Just be careful to wear safe footwear !(Socks are not recommended for indoors.) 

• Day nine: Tricep dips.  Face away from a chair and place your hands behind you with your fingers towards the edge of the seat.  Either bend your legs at a 90 degree angle or straighten your legs for more of a challenge.  Slowly lower yourself, bending at the elbow, then push back to the starting position. Do two sets of nine.  

• Day ten: Squats.  With your feet a little more than hip-width apart, sit back as if there is a chair behind you, keeping your weight in your heels.  Be sure that your knees do not go past your toes, and that you keep your knees from falling in. Aim for your thighs parallel to the floor, but don’t get too hung up on it.  Too easy? Add a jump between each squat.  Do three sets of ten repetitions.  

• Day eleven: Toe touches.  With your right arm raised, balance on your left leg and reach down to touch your left toes. Repeat eleven times then do the same balancing on your right foot.  

• Day twelve: Dance to your favorite holiday tune! 

*Bonus: on the twelfth day, cycle through all the exercises. Repeat as many times as desired!

Happy, healthy holidays!

 

Congrats to the Student Dancers at Ruiz Elementary, a Go for the Gold School!

We were thrilled to see Ruiz Elementary, a Go for the Gold school, spotlighted recently for a unique achievement. Ruiz students performed a variety of ballroom dances at the 2012 Dance Gala of the Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (IAHPERD). By hitting the dance floor, Ruiz students had the chance to sparkle for a statewide audience while promoting fun physical activity. Plus, because Ruiz is known both for its committment to wellness and to the arts, their success highlights an important connection between the arts and physical activity. 

Student dancers from Ruiz participated for the second year in a row, and Principal Dana Butler called it "a phenomenal experience."

Read on for more about Ruiz and about the students' experience (including their backstage anecdotes of crashing into tables while practicing!). The article goes on to explain: "Ruiz also is focused on the overall wellness of its students, and has been nationally recognized for its health and nutrition programs, including one of CPS’ original learning kitchens and community gardens. This in addition to the many performance opportunities at the school, which allows its 930 students to show off their talents in music, art, dance and theater."

Here's a video of their 2012 performance: 

Bringing Mindfulness to the Classroom, Pt. 3: Keep it Simple and Consistent

Students cool down in the classroom after lunch in a "Warrior I" pose. Photo courtesy of Mindful Practices.

This post is the third part of a Q&A with Carla Tantillo, owner/founder of Mindful Practices, author of Cooling Down Your Classroom, and a frequent facilitator in HSC's Fit to Learn professional development program.  A former teacher in the Chicago Public School system, Carla has experience working with youth from low-income communities.  Both her private yoga practice and her occupation as an educator inspired Carla to start a business that combines her two passions.  Now she works closely with Chicago schools, demonstrating how to incorporate mindfulness techniques into the regular school day.  Read the first two parts of this Q&A here and here. 

What small changes can teachers make to support a more mindful classroom?

I would suggest they start with something simple, like 5-10 minutes a day.  I would say they start with a little toolbox of 3-5 activities.  The cotton ball breathing is the perfect activity because you teach it and then can replicate it every time the students take a test.  I always encourage the teachers to reflect on when throughout the school day they’re stressed and agitated, because we know that when teachers are stressed and agitated, it impacts the level of efficacy. And then also taking a look at where your students are. Do students exhibit a lot of anxiety when they come in from lunch or recess? Is it prior to testing; is it prior to the spelling test that happens every Wednesday? 

The most important thing is that you make it consistent.  If it’s something where the students are like, “Eh, this is the thing for this week, and that thing is going to change next week. . .” then the students aren’t going to buy into it because you’re not buying into it.  So teach the cotton ball breathing activity and then you say to your students, “OK, every Wednesday prior to our spelling tests we’re going to sit at our seats and do cotton ball breathing for 30 seconds to help us cool down and get centered and be ready to learn, ready to take our spelling test.”  So you’re articulating what you want out of the activity, you’re articulating why you’re doing the activity, you’re narrating for students the activity. You’re helping them cool down simply by telling them why they’re doing the activity and that you understand they are experiencing stress and anxiety prior to a spelling test. And then you’re practicing it consistently.  All students respond positively to structure, so let’s honor that and let’s build in these techniques into the curriculum.  It honors the teacher’s needs, it honors the context and the environment in which the learning is taking place.

Have you ever had to deal with "push back"?  How do you respond to people who are skeptical of your approach?

There are two types of push back.  I think that the first is a fear that parents are going to think yoga is religious.  I would say that that fear happens way more than the push back from parents actually does, which is interesting.  In six years of operation, since we opened our doors in 2006, we’ve only had three parents that have said their students cannot participate in the classroom yoga.  Now, in [Cooling Down Your Classroom], yoga is a piece of it, for sure, but there are activities that can be taken outside of the yoga. The cotton ball breathing, for instance.  It doesn’t mention yoga, doesn’t have Sanskrit in there — a cotton ball is a pretty innocuous object....

What I always say is: you send a weekly bulletin home, you have newsletters, you have curriculum nights and you include this in that newsletter, you include this in the curriculum night, you do an information sharing.  Any schools that we work with, we’ll always talk for free and talk to parents on curriculum night, on a family wellness night.  I always suggest including this practice in an overall wellness plan.

The other [push back] is transition times, that they will become too long. A lot of times teachers will say they hate the time period after lunch. "I hate getting my students into the classroom and getting them focused on reading after they were just running around playground all sweaty.  How do I do this?” And so you say, “Let’s tackle those times.  Let’s tackle your Friday afternoon.  Let’s tackle when your prep is cancelled because the computer teacher called in sick again and you’ve got 45 extra minutes and you’ve already showed your Shrek video.  What do you do?” There’s a real functionality here.  You’re not just looking at the automaticity that your students need to help control behavior; you’re also looking at how your classroom functions and where you need help as a classroom teacher.  So you chat that out, both the fear of the religious piece and the fear of transition times being lengthened, you get teachers and parents to identify what their needs are and you can waylay those fears.

Thanks, Carla, for more great tips on implementing these practices in the classroom!

Bringing Mindfulness to the Classroom, Part 2: 'How Do You Move Your Students?'

photo courtesey of Mindful Practices

This post is the second part of a Q&A with Carla Tantillo, owner/founder of Mindful Practices, author of Cooling Down Your Classroom, and a frequent facilitator in HSC's Fit to Learn professional development program.  A former teacher in the Chicago Public School system, Carla has experience working with youth from low-income communities.  Both her private yoga practice and her occupation as an educator inspired Carla to start a business that combines her two passions.  Now she works closely with Chicago schools, demonstrating how to incorporate mindfulness techniques into the regular school day.  Read the first part of this Q&A here. 

 

What has been surprising to you as you continue to practice yoga and mindfulness with children in schools?

I’m consistently surprised by how receptive students are, even at age levels when you traditionally think they wouldn’t be.  I don’t know how I would be if some strange lady came into my middle school classroom and said “Do yoga!” But, I am consistently amazed at how students identify the need within themselves. I think that students are saying more so than ever that they’re stressed.  More so than ever they’re acknowledging the issues Healthy Schools is working on -- when they don’t eat right, when they don’t get enough sleep, these elements of student wellness. . . I think because they’re identifying that, there in is the window to mindfulness.

In turn, what they’re kind of doing is pushing their teachers in that direction as well, which I think is really cool.  They’re saying, “We need to relax for a minute.” So, they’re using language that you or I may not use in the field but they’re articulating what their need is for themselves in that moment.  And, that is awesome to me. . . .  you’re really talking about students self-regulating, whether [that means] they’re not going to eat the bag of Flaming Hots for breakfast or they’re not going to punch the kid next to them on the playground. When you’re talking about students’ ability to self-regulate, that comes from self-awareness. It’s really born from self-awareness because when students are self-aware they realize they’re tired, they’re agitated, they’re frustrated, they’re hungry, etc.  They realize what action should follow that and what they need to do to keep that negative action from happening.  And so when you hear students identifying and talking about it on this level, it’s really, to me, like, “That’s it! That’s why we’re here.” It’s good stuff.

How does mindfulness help the learning process? Won’t practicing yoga at school take valuable learning time out of the day?

I would say no.  And I would say because we can’t assume that all time has the same level of quality.  [In my presentation at Fit to Learn] I had [the teachers] sitting, up, down and moving around because research shows that after 15 minutes of direct instruction, attention begins to wane.  And so my job as an educator is not just to have really spiffy, cool prepared content.  My job is also to differentiate for the needs of the learners that are in the room, to understand the environment in which that learning is taking place.  I know my responsibility besides delivering content is also getting people to use kinesthetic learning, auditory learning, visual learning, etc. . . .

What we need to do is understand the impact and the connection between physical activity and learning.  When we blend physical activity and learning together, test scores show, data shows, students learn better.  And so what we need to do is we need to mindfully include the physical activity throughout the school day.

Now, the biggest red flag to this is usually transition time.  So what do I have to do? Do I have to get up as a classroom teacher and have my students all push their desks to the side, which is going to take six minutes, at least.  And then we’re going to do some physical activity and then we’re going to move all the desks back, and then we’re going to continue with our math lesson.  My answer to that is, absolutely not.  Then you are doing your instruction a disservice.  Because that transition time, you’re probably looking at 12-15 minutes there.  And then so-and-so has got the wrong desk and you have a disciplinary problem because so-and-so is fighting because their pencil is missing. . .  no, no, no.  Instead, what we need to do is take a look at the resources we have.  How are our classrooms set up? Do we have our desks in rows for direct instruction, or do we have seating in pods? How much space do we have? What needs to happen at the desk? What needs to happen standing? We create really mindful ways and lessons to include relaxation breathing into the classroom throughout the school day while we’re still honoring transition time.  We’re not wasting time. 

My book is called Cooling Down Your Classroom, and that's because you aim for cool—students keeping their cool.  Well some students are going to be boiling over because they just got in a fight at lunch or recess.  Some students are going to be freezing, really lethargic and tired.  So how do you move your students, if you’re visualizing a thermometer, how do you move your students to that cool place on the thermometer? You acknowledge that they’re not all in the same place.  Instead of shaming your students into an energy level you want them to be, you acknowledge where they are and do some physical activity, some breathing, yoga. . . And then continue your school day.  And you can use these strategies simply.  If you’re preparing for a test, instead of just passing out the tests, you have your students stand up and do tree pose.  You have your students do some seated breathing and arm movements at their desk.  So you’re including the physical activity throughout the school day to improve the quality of instruction without lengthening transition time.

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Thanks to Carla for sharing her experience; stay posted for the next in this series on mindfulness in the classroom.

P.S. - Check out this great classroom activity from Carla that combines math and mindful breathing!

Friday Physical Activity Boost, Fall Edition: Pumpkin Patch Strength Training

By Lizzy Parker, HSC communications intern

Lizzy Parker is a junior at Colorado College and a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. As an intern at HSC, she enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for and knowledge about physical activity—and, that it can be fun!

Fall is gearing up, and the weather is cooling off. Though the barbeques and pool parties have subsided, autumn presents new opportunities to get outside and get moving.  Halloween is fast approaching, and it’s time to think about costumes and carving pumpkins once again.  One fun way to get outside and get some activity as you prepare for autumn is to  visit to the pumpkin patch.  Between roaming the pumpkin patch and solving the corn maze, your day is guaranteed to be full of physical activity.
              
While your kids are busy deciding between the round or oval pumpkin -- or if you prefer, once you get your pumpkins home -- take the chance to get some seasonal strength training in! Select a pumpkin of a challenging (but not impossible) weight, and try the following exercises:

Pumpkin front raises: this exercise targets the upper back, shoulders, and core.  Great for improving posture!

• Stand with feet hip-width distance apart and hold the pumpkin straight out so your arms are parallel with the ground.
• With a strong core, flat back, and retracted shoulders, raise your arms until the pumpkin is directly over your head.
• Lower to starting position and repeat 10 times.

Pumpkin walking lunges: works your biceps, forearms, core, and glutes.

• With arms bent at a 45-degree angle, hold the pumpkin close to your chest.
• Lunge forward with your right foot, bending your leg so that your thigh is nearly parallel to the ground.
• Keep the weight off your toes, and make sure that your torso remains tall and upright.
• Push through the heel of your right foot and stand up, matching your feet together.
• Move forward, alternating right and left.  Repeat 10 times on each side.

Pumpkin plié squats: this exercise is good for strengthening your legs, glutes, and core.

• With the pumpkin on the ground in front of you, stand with your feet a little wider than hip distance, toes pointed out at a slight angle.
• Shift your weight to your heels and squat, as if to sit in an imaginary chair.  Keep your chest up, your gaze forward, and your core tight.
• Reach down with straight arms to pick up the pumpkin. Once you have a firm grasp, continue to hold the pumpkin between your hands as your push through your heels to stand up.
• Do not arch your back, or bend from your back—aim to keep a flat back throughout.  You are using your legs and your glutes to perform the action, not your torso. You may need to adjust the starting location of the pumpkin to maintain good form!
• Once your legs are straight and you are standing, maintain your grasp of the pumpkin and squat again.  Repeat 10 times.  
• If you need a visual overview, check out this video for guidance.

Have fun . . . and enjoy decorating the pumpkins with your family! 

Disclaimer: The recommendations on this blog are not meant to be a substitute for recommendations from your physician. Take care to consult with your physician if you have questions or concerns about beginning a new exercise regimen. As always, if something hurts, don’t do it. Know your body’s limits and refrain for pushing yourself too far, too fast. 

Recess: "A Treat Kids Never Tire Of"

We truly believe in the proven benefits of recess: kids who exercise during recess are more alert in the classroom and are healthier overall. In fact, sometimes students who seem to have the most trouble focusing and completing assignments may need recess the most. That's why one school makes it a policy to use recess as a reward, never as a punishment.

Deborah Reese, principal at Hitch School in Chicago, spoke to us about her school's philosophy towards recess. There, teachers are encouraged to add extra recess as an incentive instead of taking it away as a punishment. She said that overall, "we found our discipline problems going down when we focused on being less punitive and more rewarding."

Principal Reese gave a recent example of how this policy worked:

"Kids in the upper grades were spiraling out of control in the hallways between classes.  [Teachers] wanted to meet with us because they wanted permission to 'take away recess.'  My assistant principal, Diane Kieres, said that rather than take it away, she would add an extra recess when she 'caught' classes being appropriate.  On the second day, she named a classroom that was going to get the extra recess, and doubled the reward by telling the teacher that she (Diane) would supervise it, and the teacher would get a few minutes to herself.  Word spread – EXTRA RECESS!"

Her other advice?

"If students misbehave while they are at recess, we give them a 2- to 5-minute timeout.  Then we let them rejoin the play.  Kids don’t like having to stand next to the teacher for 5 minutes and watch the others having fun –- this is more effective than sending them to another classroom to work."

In short, she said, recess is "a treat kids never tire of."

Special thanks to Principal Reese for sharing her school's success story with us!

Plus: For more recess success stories and tips, check out the physical activity section of the Go for the Gold website!

Cooling Down with Carla Tantillo: Bringing Mindfulness to the Classroom

Carla Tantillo leads a yoga exercise for teachers as part of HSC's Fit to Learn professional development program

This post is the first part of a Q&A with Carla Tantillo, owner/founder of Mindful Practices, author of Cooling Down Your Classroom, and a frequent facilitator in HSC's Fit to Learn professional development program.  A former teacher in the Chicago Public School system, Carla has experience working with youth from low-income communities.  Both her private yoga practice and her occupation as an educator inspired Carla to start a business that combines her two passions.  Now she works closely with Chicago schools, demonstrating how to incorporate mindfulness techniques into the regular school day.  

How did you become interested in mindfulness?

It happened as a result of my yoga practice. I hadn’t thought about mindfulness truly and really until I started practicing yoga, and I noticed the energy that I was bringing to my mat. And this is just my personal practice, prior to when I started the business.  I think it’s really interesting when in the beginning, you learn the poses and you feel like, "Okay! I’ve got this down, I know how to do triangle.  I’m in, next!" But it’s not just about getting your body into the actual yoga poses... how you’re moving to and from the pose has almost as much importance as the asana itself. Are you taking necessary steps between poses? You notice these pieces, at least for me, because you are confined to this mat.

And then you notice how it translates to how you are when you are at the grocery store.  How you are walking through the store? If you're in a hurry, what energy are you putting out there? And how you reach for that box of tea, how does that energy affect the person who’s just kind of strolling through the store, kind of browsing the tea?  I noticed it for myself with my own physical movements, and how those physical movements impact the integrity of the action—whether it’s grocery shopping, whether it’s a yoga pose, whether it’s writing—and the quality of the action.  So that’s how it began for me on a personal level.

Why is mindfulness so important for the modern classroom?

Because we are producing -- not intentionally, but -- we are producing angry adults as a society. We’re producing adults who feel powerless and out of control, and often it is something that is overlooked in their elementary and secondary school education. It's the ability to control one’s behavior for one’s own sake.

So, when I’m a classroom teacher, I want my students to settle down, and calm down, and cool down because I have a lesson that needs to be taught. So, my objective is teaching my lesson on Haiku poetry. But, should there be a different objective? Should the objective be that I want that student to be empowered to cool themselves down for their own sake? Not because of my lesson, but because I need to teach them these tools. These are lifelong learning tools they need to be successful adults. Often, no one teaches students not only the techniques of mindfulness relaxation (breathing, perhaps yoga), but also models it for them and practices it with them.

If that’s not happening in the classroom with the same amount of fervor as practicing multiplication tables, then how do we expect an adult to be able to access that when needed? So, if I ask you right now "What’s three times five?" you would spit out fifteen, and you wouldn’t even know why. With the knowledge of multiplication tables, the practice was drilled into you because someone somewhere said, "That’s a really important ability to have." We need to prioritize students’ social and emotional learning and wellness with that same amount of integrity and practice. We need to see this as a skill that’s necessary for adults to have. 

Thanks to Carla for sharing her experience; stay posted for the next in this series on mindfulness in the classroom.

Plus! Hear from Carla and other Fit to Learn facilitators on mindfulness, yoga and physical activity in the classroom in this segment from WGN News:

 

For an example of a classroom exercise that focuses on mindfulness, check out this post.

Physical Activity Boost: Staying Active through Community Engagement

By Lizzy Parker, HSC communications intern

Lizzy Parker is a junior at Colorado College and a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. As an intern at HSC, she enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for and knowledge about physical activity—and, that it can be fun!

Knowing the importance of physical activity sometimes isn’t enough to get us moving.  Sometimes we need to feel as if we have a responsibility to stay active.  Community engagement is a great way to get in some physical activity with the family while also being a good role model to your kids.

Here are a few of my favorite ways to get active in the community:

• Adopt-a-beach: research local opportunities to volunteer maintaining your local beaches.  If you are in the Great Lakes area, you can find more information here.
• Adopt-a-park: like the beach, neighborhood parks need community volunteers to keep them in good condition.  A quick search should help you find opportunities in your area.  Chicago folk: get involved here.
• Trail maintenance: trails across the U.S. from national parks to forest preserves are often kept up by volunteers.  Depending on the site, you could get a serious workout.  Find trails in your area that could use some help.
• Community gardening: if you don’t have a yard—or do but don’t have enough sun—a community garden is a wonderful way to put your green thumb to use.  Plus, growing fruits and veggies with your kids might make them more open to trying new foods.  Check out the community garden database to find local plots.

Bonus: By now, I am sure you are familiar with Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Campaign.  But, you might not know that the campaign has partnered with museums and gardens across the country to provide free fitness-oriented activities for kids and parents.  Check to see what’s happening in your area!

Have a fun and active weekend!

Teen Advocate Spotlight: Francisco Figuero

This post is the first in a series spotlighting teen advocates, youth leaders who speak up about school wellness and envrironmental issues that affect them most. Thanks to HSC intern Christine Andersen, who is beginning her senior year of high school, for this post!

Francisco Figuero is a high school student with a passion for fitness -- and several years ago, he decided to share that energy with his school. Francisco began inviting friends and classmates to exercise together, with the goal of helping more people experience the benefits of physical activity. Over time, his workout groups became a hit with students throughout the school, including many who had never been interested in exercise. Building on this energy, Francisco talked to school leaders about boosting the school's wellness environment. Through his involvement with Mikva Challenge, Francisco went on to create a Youth Wellness Team that helps create a healthy environment at his school. Kudos to Francisco for his work to promote wellness!

What methods are you using to raise awareness and rally support for health and wellness?
When I tried to rally support from the principal, I told him that our school had a high obesity rate and that it would help the school’s reputation if health became a priority. The most success, however, came from working directly with the students. I started exercising with a few groups of kids, and many other students saw what I was doing and liked the idea. So, more and more groups of kids joined in.

How did people react when you began advocating for wellness? 
The idea did seem crazy at first to some, which is why I went after certain groups of kids to start a trend. These kids were able to influence the rest of the student body and show them that living a healthy lifestyle was not a weird thing to do. Over time, these values spread throughout different groups of friends.

What adults have inspired you along the way? What teens have inspired you along the way?
My parents and stepparents all came from military backgrounds, so an exercise-intensive lifestyle was natural for me. They inspired me to continue to promote this lifestyle. Later on, the rest of my football team helped me by teaching me more about healthy eating, which was never as big of a focus for me as exercise. Mikva helped me a lot by giving me feasible ideas such as starting a Youth Wellness Team at my school.

What challenges did you face? How did you overcome these challenges?
The greatest challenge was finding peers to help. I started with a few kids, mainly my friends, and we started exercising together. It was important to stay connected with other groups of people to spread our message. Over time, other groups of friends began joining together.

What do you hope to do in this area in the future? What is your next step?
In college, I will study psychology and sociology. I hope to continue to help myself lead a healthy lifestyle. I also hope to continue to advocate for health and wellness at my college.

Kudos, Francisco!

Stay posted for more teen advocate spotlights in this series.

Physical Activity Boost: Back to School Edition!

By Lizzy Parker, HSC communications intern

Lizzy Parker is a junior at Colorado College and a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. As an intern at HSC, she enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for and knowledge about physical activity—and, that it can be fun!

Let’s be honest: sometimes the best exercise doesn’t feel like exercise at all.  This back-to-school season is a great time to enjoy the games that got us moving as kids. The type of games we often  associate with recess or P.E. class are fun activities that can involve the entire family with minimal equipment and set-up.  

When you play, strive to create a relaxed environment that focuses on being active and having fun together rather than on extreme competition.  Invite friends and neighbors along and make an event out of it!  These games are simple, yet enjoyable for all ages:

• Basketball
• Softball
• Frisbee
• Tag football
• Kickball
• Soccer
• Freeze tag
• Volleyball
• . . . and the participants' own favorite games! Take turns selecting a favorite to play next.

In an effort to keep everyone moving -- and keep with the fun recess spirit -- set up exercise stations for players on the sidelines.  Provide jump ropes, hula hoops, and sidewalk chalk. Or, invite everyone to rotate between different movements on the sideline -- for example: balancing on one foot or doing jumping jacks.

Most important: enjoy the time together and have fun!

Games from recess and P.E. class offer a fun way to get active with family, friends and neighbors! Here, students play soccer during a physical activity break with a coach from Urban Initiatives. 

Physical Activity Boost: Walk a New Walk

By Lizzy Parker, HSC communications intern

Lizzy Parker is a rising junior at Colorado College with a passion for health and fitness. In January of 2012, she became a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. As an intern at HSC this summer, she looks forward to sharing her enthusiasm for and knowledge about physical activity—and, that it can be fun!

Most exercise enthusiasts choose running as their preferred form of cardio.  However, new research shows that walking can in many ways be equally, or more, beneficial to your health.  A daily walk with your family is a wonderful habit to get into. If walking seems like a dull form of exercise for your high-energy kids, think again. You can vary your walking routine in a number of fun ways to keep everyone interested! Try these ideas: 

• Change up your speed. If you are walking at a pace that feels a little too comfortable, push yourself. Pump those arms and move those legs. Believe me, power walking is no joke when done for a few miles. You will be sure to raise your heart rate and work up a sweat.

• One word: hills. Hiking is one of my absolute favorite forms of exercise because it is just walking at an incline. Though a small change, the angle will activate muscles in your glutes, quadriceps, calves, and core that walking on flat ground cannot target. No mountains? No problem. Find the largest hill near you and walk up as quickly as you can for at least ten rounds. Focus on keeping your core tight, your shoulders retracted for good posture, and really be conscious of not leaning too far forward. Leaning forward too much will put pressure on your lower back, which is not good.

• If you are a little more advanced, consider adding interval training to your repertoire. Really anyone can do interval training because it can be scaled to individual skill level or age group. To start, alternate three minutes of walking with one minute of a higher-impact exercise. Some ideas: power walking, bear crawls, high knees, crab walks, skipping, frog jumps, squats and walking lunges. All of these movements are called “compound exercises.” This means that they do not target one particular muscle; instead, several muscle groups must work together. Compound exercises enhance your functionality, i.e. your ability to recruit your muscles to work more quickly and more efficiently. 

• Add some resistance. Carry a weighted backpack filled with . . . whatever heavy objects you have handy! Canned goods work perfectly. Added resistance benefits bone and joint health, and strengthens stabilizer muscles in the ankles, knees, and core. 

Walking is a highly accessible form of exercise and best of all, it is easily adapted to any fitness level.  So grab a partner and hit the ground. . . walking!

Disclaimer: The recommendations on this blog are not meant to be a substitute for recommendations from your physician. Take care to consult with your physician if you have questions or concerns about beginning a new exercise regimen. As always, if something hurts, don’t do it. Know your body’s limits and refrain for pushing yourself too far, too fast. 

Physical Activity Boost: Exercise Videos

By Lizzy Parker, HSC communications intern

Lizzy Parker is a rising junior at Colorado College with a passion for health and fitness. In January of 2012, she became a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. As an intern at HSC this summer, she looks forward to sharing her enthusiasm for and knowledge about physical activity—and, that it can be fun!

As a kid, my mom frequently practiced yoga. She would attend the occasional class, but more often than not, she followed a yoga video. My sister and I loved watching her and began to do the poses along with her. Yoga gave my mom the flexibility (no pun intended) to exercise and spend time with us. Whether you have a newborn or a preteen, fitness videos offer an easy way to include your child in your exercise routine and demonstrate how to live an active lifestyle. Unfortunately, investing in these videos can add up. It is more cost-effective, and less of a gamble, to try a DVD before committing to a purchase.  When visiting your local library, take a moment to explore the fitness DVDs. You can also look for fun exercise videos on YouTube or exercise-specific sites. Pick whatever sparks your interest, or choose one of these:

• Zumba is a fitness program that combines different types of dance with cardio. Popular for the fun music and energetic instructors, Zumba has garnered a devoted following. You won’t have a hard time convincing your children to join in!
• Hatha Yoga is a gentle form of yoga that is great for beginners. The poses are simple and easy to follow for any age (like this one).
• Tae Bo Kicks is a toned down version of Tae Bo, the martial arts inspired workout. Although geared toward kids, parents will enjoy taking part as well!

Give any of these a shot and figure out what works for you, and what your kids enjoy most!

Disclaimer: The recommendations on this blog are not meant to be a substitute for recommendations from your physician. Take care to consult with your physician if you have questions or concerns about beginning a new exercise regimen. As always, if something hurts, don’t do it. Know your body’s limits and refrain for pushing yourself too far, too fast.  

Physical Education Strategic Plan Focuses on More Active Approach to P.E.

by Lizzy Parker, HSC intern

In June, the Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Department of Public Health, and Illinois Public Health Institute released the Illinois Enhanced Physical Education Strategic Plan, which recommends all Illinois students participate in high-quality daily P.E. classes and outlines recommendations for making those classes as active as possible. The goal is to “inspire a culture shift that makes high quality P.E. and wellness a priority for all schools and children in Illinois.” To do so, schools are urged to re-evaluate the structure of gym classes and move toward an enhanced and more active, or “new,” P.E.

Over the past decade, schools around the country have made news for offering non-traditional P.E. classes that help students develop the skills and habits for lifelong fitness rather than just competitive sports.

Perhaps the most notable is Naperville Central High School (NCHS) in the Chicago suburbs. Nearly two decades ago, Phil Lawler decided to completely change the way the Naperville school district conducted gym classes. Instead thinking of P.E. as an activity for the athletically gifted, Lawler envisioned a more all-inclusive program that would get all students active. Instead of a low-impact game of baseball, Lawler had students run a mile for time. He gave less athletic students the option to ride stationary bikes. His “New P.E.” would assess students on effort rather than skill. The program has evolved, and in recent years, students have learned to use heart rate monitors, cardio machines, and lift weights. 

Lawler inspired many others, including Tim McCord, the physical education coordinator in the Titusville school district in Pennsylvania. McCord proved that NCHS’s P.E. program was not only for schools in affluent suburbs. A rural community, Titusville is home primarily to low income families and school funding is tight. But with some creativity, McCord has gradually established a P.E. program to the caliber of NCHS. Most of the funds have come from the Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP). Programs such as the PEP, PE4life, and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance’s National Association for Sport and Physical Education have helped schools with limited resources provide students with innovative ways to exercise in P.E.

Though it does not specifically name them, the Illinois Enhanced P.E. plan draws from the new approach to P.E. in these programs. According to Stephen Archer, MD, President of the Metropolitan Chicago American Heart Association Board of Directors: 

The new Phys-Ed is about participation, simply getting kids moving, not a call for extreme athletics. Research from the AHA shows that the simple act of exercising 30 minutes a day confers life-long health benefits. If all K-12 schools implement a comprehensive physical education curriculum that is based on best-practices, we will save money and save lives.

The new curriculum will engage students in daily physical activity, while also providing them with valuable skills on how lead a healthy lifestyle going into adulthood.

This means benefits not only for health but for learning as well. State Superintendent of Education Christopher A. Koch sums it up saying, “We shouldn’t have to choose between teaching students how to read and teaching them the skills to live a healthy life. This plan is a guidepost for how we can do both and improve our children’s educational outcomes at the same time.”

Plus: What is different about New P.E.? See the Illinois Enhanced P.E. Strategic Plan Fact Sheet for a comparison of old and new activities. Curious how other schools are making changes to their P.E. programs? See how Saratoga High School in San Francisco is shaping up, and the alternative gym classes these schools offer.

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Bonus: To learn more about the Illinois Enhanced Physical Education Strategic Plan, register for the Illinois Public Health Institute's "Exercise Your Mind: Collaborating To Enhance Physical Education In Illinois Schools" webinar on Friday, August 17 at 1 p.m. Central, they created a flyer for more information. Click here to register!

Go for the Gold: Yoga is Fun

As part of our Go for the Gold celebration, students created artwork and wrote essays about health and wellness at their school.

Ashburn Community Elementary School student art work

This artwork comes from an Ashburn Community Elementary School student.

Not only is yoga fun, but it is also an excellent way to “cool down” your class. Teachers in HSC’s Fit to Learn program have also seen the benefits of incorporating yoga in the classroom as it helps students get focused and ready to learn. Yoga is also good for your heart!

Ashburn Community Elementary School was one of 37 schools recognized for meeting the high standards of the HealthierUS School Challenge. Ashburn received the Silver Award.

Kudos! Stay posted for more student art from this celebration!
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To learn more about Go for the Gold, please visit www.goforthegoldCPS.org.