This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Schools

Move Forward Program Keeps Students Healthy

Dexter Community Schools received a grant to implement the fitness program.

Students who attend the Dexter Community School District's four elementary schools — , , and — are the beneficiaries of a new program aimed at helping students get healthier through nutrition and exercise.

The program is called Move Forward and is funded by a grant from the Chelsea Area Wellness Foundation. The program officially began in January.

"Because kids spend so much time in school, it's important that the school environment support health and well-being," said Reiley Curran, chairwoman of the Chelsea Community Hospital's Community Health Improvement Council, which is working with the school district.

Find out what's happening in Dexterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"The skills and knowledge students gain about physical activity and nutrition now will stay with them throughout adolescence and adulthood, so it's important to help them establish healthy habits now," Curran said.

Move Forward program manager Cheri McLean sends periodic health-related messages to students and families via school newsletters. With spring approaching, those messages remind students about the importance of color in diets, suggesting the healthy benefits of "eating a rainbow" of fruits and vegetables.

Find out what's happening in Dexterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Our goals are to increase education about nutrition and physical activity," McLean said, adding that actual events in the schools will begin in September. "Our focus is on kids, and we hope it will trickle out to families."

McLean, a graduate with a bachelor's degree in physical education and a master's degree in special education, has been an athlete for most of her life. She believes that parents are the best role models children have. Her own children have been running with her since they were babies being pushed in strollers, she said.

"They are active and healthy and live well-balanced lives," she said.

As far as maintaining healthy nutrition at home, she said, "I set menus on Sunday before the week, and shop and cook some things ahead of time."

Some of McLean's recommendations are to include 60 minutes of daily physical activity, eat with the entire family at the dinner table, limit television time to two hours a day and start each day with breakfast.

The Move Forward advisory committee comprises a physician, school nurse, nutrition experts, parent representatives and physical education teachers.

"Dexter's Wellness Policy states that 'schools cannot achieve their primary mission of education if students and staff are not physically, mentally and socially healthy,' " Creekside teacher Marsha Meyerhoff said.

"In Dexter, we are committed to maintaining a healthy school environment, which enhances lifelong wellness practices," Meyerhoff said. "The Move Forward grant is an exciting opportunity to promote additional healthy eating practices and physical activities for our students, staff and families."

Creekside and Wylie recently purchased fitness equipment from Project Fit America, which Meyerhoff said will be used to help students improve their strength, endurance and flexibility. She said the equipment will soon be installed and will be used as part of the fall kickoff for the Move Forward program.

Dexter's Move Forward program is funded for two years and will run through January 2013.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?