By Kyle LoJacono
Wesley Chapel Elementary’s staff wants its students to develop healthy habits early and created Wildcat Wellness Week this year as an annual event to help do that.
The week, which ran from Jan. 16-20, was filled with healthy events, including having additional fresh fruit options at meals, Jump Rope for Heart and yo-yo yoga day. It also challenged students and their families to get active while at home.
“We tried to plan fun and healthy activities that could be enjoyed by everyone including our parents,” said Chris Gorman, Wesley Chapel Elementary physical education (PE) teacher and wellness committee coordinator. “One of the activities was our commercial calisthenics, which motivated students and family members to get up and get moving during the commercial breaks if they were watching television. They could choose from doing sit-ups, jogging in place, hopping one foot, push-ups, jumping jacks or any other inside movement activity.”
The yo-yo yoga day was popular with students and teachers.
“It is very relaxing and helps the students focus on their positions,” said kindergarten teacher Christina Mendez.
Students enjoyed fresh fruit selections on Wednesday and Friday thanks to donations from some local supermarkets, school district suppliers and fruit stands. They also got to dress in their sports uniforms on Thursday representing such fitness activities as soccer, baseball, cheerleading, football and dance.
The final activity was the Jump Rope for Heart challenge. Students completed nine different jumping stations that included hurdles, long jump, sack race and vertical jump. The school earned more than $600 for The American Heart Association through the challenge.
“My favorite activity was the vertical jump at PE,” said fourth-grader Kayla Andrews. “It measured how high I can jump.”
The week also got the school’s staff into the movement, participating in such events as wellness bingo. The faculty marked off a bingo sheet that included making healthy choices like eating fruit with breakfast or joining a friend or family member for a 30-minute workout. Completed bingo sheets were turned in at the end of the week and used in the prize drawings featuring gift cards and exercise equipment.
According to the advisory committee for the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, obesity is the single greatest threat to public health in this century. Statistics show one out of three children in the United States are considered overweight or obese. Being overweight can lead to or intensify chronic medical conditions for school-age children including joint problems, asthma, high cholesterol, type II diabetes and high blood pressure.
“I believe our wellness week will have a positive impact on our community and our students,” Gorman said. “Parents and staff will continue making healthy changes in their lives.”
Wesley Chapel Elementary was recently recognized for its healthy initiatives, earning the Bronze National Award from The Alliance for a Healthier Generation.
The alliance established the Healthy Schools Program in 2006 to help schools develop and implement practices promoting healthy eating and increase physical activity. Wesley Chapel Elementary is the only elementary school in Pasco County to earn this recognition.
The school also created The Student & Staff Wildcat Wellness centers. These facilities have helped increase the physical activity of the school’s students and staff.
The student fitness lab provides the classroom teachers with a portable utilizing 27 different stations the pupils can use for teacher led PE, while the staff facility is filled with all types of cardio and weight training equipment similar to a health club. Teachers and staff can work out before school, during lunch and after school to increase their fitness levels.
