January
16, 2008
Dear Parents
I would like to
introduce our new Recess
Walking program.
The idea was germinated
by one of our building
aides who noticed that
on days when the
playground equipment is
covered with snow and
the blacktop is
unavailable for play,
there wasn’t much for
students to do. A
conversation with the PE
teacher and the school
counselor hatched the
idea of an activity that
could keep students
active during the long
winter months.
Experts have been
warning us of the health
risks associated with
overweight children,
putting them at an
increased risk for Type
2 diabetes, high
cholesterol and other
health problems. About
one third of children
and teens in the US is
now overweight or is at
risk of becoming
overweight.
The purpose of the
Walking Program is to
actively engage all
students while
addressing these at-risk
students in a gentle,
non-judgmental manner.
Having all students
participate initially
offers an introduction
to this activity during
the mandatory period.
The Walking Program was
set-up as a reward-based
initiative with
opportunities for
students to earn small
prizes based on the
number of miles they
walked. Participating
grades 2-5 walk twice a
week and have regular
recess three times a
week. This introduction
will last until the end
of this month providing
students with a maximum
of six recesses to
walk. Hopefully this
will set the stage for
some students,
encouraging them to
embrace this program and
keep going. For others,
as the weather changes
so will the games and
activities offered at
recess. Other
activities are planned
and will be included
later, such as side-line
soccer, kickball and
dodge ball.
Building positive
wellness habits should
begin early. Walking is
an activity often
recommended as exercise
which requires no
specific skills yet can
be enjoyed throughout
one’s life time. We are
trying something new –
we hope you will support
us and give this program
a chance to succeed.
Thank you,
Claudia Verga, AWB
Principal
Gregg Ronca, PE Teacher
Julia Aldrich, School
Counselor
