Peoria School Stops Classes to Exercise
By: Sophie Nielsen-Kolding WMBD/WYZZ TV
Updated: September 18, 2012
PEORIA- A new report predicts more than half of the population in 39 states will be obese by 2030.
Northmoor Primary School in Peoria is trying to instill good habits young.
Every day at 1:00 p.m. kids get up from their desks and turn towards a screen to follow a 15 minute work out. Second grade teacher Robin Tandeski said it might be the only physical activity some kids get in a day.
"We don't have P.E. as much as we used to because, I guess because of the cuts and so we have it every 3rd day, so that's the only time, except recess time, which is, some of the kids are running around and doing activities and some of them aren't," Tandeski said.
She hopes that this will help them have healthy habits later in life.
"I think the younger you start it the more of a life change it will make on them," she said.
Greg Chance from the Peoria Health Department said that kind of thinking is needed now more than ever. In Illinois, one in every five children are obese. Chance says being healthy is a lifestyle.
"Schools can facilitate that learning and understanding process as well as other entities such as the faith community, other social services activities ensure the message is continually reinforced because we are talking about significant behavioral change," Chance said.
Tandeski said the kids love the daily work out and get excited about it. But its not just a lesson in exercise.
"We talk to them about, it's not body image, it's about being healthy, being in shape and being fit," Tandeski said.
And after that energy outlet it's right back to work, and seven-year-old Maliyah Klinedinst said she feels more focused.
"My favorite part about it is it gets the wiggles out of me whenever it's work time so I wouldn't move and get in trouble," Klinedinst said.
Northmoor hopes other schools adopt similar programs to spread awareness about staying healthy.
Northmoor Primary School in Peoria is trying to instill good habits young.
Every day at 1:00 p.m. kids get up from their desks and turn towards a screen to follow a 15 minute work out. Second grade teacher Robin Tandeski said it might be the only physical activity some kids get in a day.
"We don't have P.E. as much as we used to because, I guess because of the cuts and so we have it every 3rd day, so that's the only time, except recess time, which is, some of the kids are running around and doing activities and some of them aren't," Tandeski said.
She hopes that this will help them have healthy habits later in life.
"I think the younger you start it the more of a life change it will make on them," she said.
Greg Chance from the Peoria Health Department said that kind of thinking is needed now more than ever. In Illinois, one in every five children are obese. Chance says being healthy is a lifestyle.
"Schools can facilitate that learning and understanding process as well as other entities such as the faith community, other social services activities ensure the message is continually reinforced because we are talking about significant behavioral change," Chance said.
Tandeski said the kids love the daily work out and get excited about it. But its not just a lesson in exercise.
"We talk to them about, it's not body image, it's about being healthy, being in shape and being fit," Tandeski said.
And after that energy outlet it's right back to work, and seven-year-old Maliyah Klinedinst said she feels more focused.
"My favorite part about it is it gets the wiggles out of me whenever it's work time so I wouldn't move and get in trouble," Klinedinst said.
Northmoor hopes other schools adopt similar programs to spread awareness about staying healthy.
