We were so excited to receive this nice message from Kari Walker, PE Teacher at Lone Oak Elementary in Spartanburg, SC. Thank you Kari, for being a TRUE CHAMPION!!
Kari writes:
As the only PE teacher at this Title I elementary school, for the past 6 years I have been trying to find ways to reach my students about the importance of health and being active. I only saw them once per week for PE class up until this year. Now I see them twice, but it just wasn’t enough time to ingrain in them the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. A childhood obesity task force was recently formed in our community and through our schools FitnessGram BMI data they found that our children have a higher obesity rate than the national average. I knew I needed to do something to help my kids and when I saw Michelle Obama’s healthy schools initiative and the ASAP grant, I thought I’d give it a try.
I kicked-off the 100 Mile Club in conjunction with our school’s “Walk to School Day” at the beginning of October. In one month, I have over 20 students already reaching 25 miles (we have only had 20 school days in that time frame, so these students have earned OVER 1 mile EVERY DAY!!!). They have about 30 minutes each school day to acquire miles, if they choose (morning fit kids plus recess time). The real amazing part, is that it is ALWAYS their choice to run/walk and earn miles, and they are never required to do them. They take their own recess time to earn miles!!! When I go outside and observe this, the majority of the class runs/walks for all or most of their recess time. I see some students walking and reading, chatting with friends, or simply running around the track I marked specifically for this program and our after-school running club, since we do not have a track at our school like some of the other schools do. Because it is their choice, it makes their accomplishments that much more special! I even have a group of teachers earning miles as well, and the number of teachers keeps growing!
The fire is spreading here at Lone Oak Elementary and we are on our way to a healthier generation, thanks in large part to you all and this grant opportunity! I can’t wait to share more updates with you. I could never have imagined all the positive things that have come from this program. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!”
We are so proud of the accomplishments at Lone Oak! Keep the fitness fires burning Coach Walker!
