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Runners Club of Miami-Dade Special Education Students Train for 5K

Originally published April 3, 2018 by NBC 6 Miami.

By Ari Odzer

It started three years ago as a way to get special education students interested in fitness. Now the AP Runners club at American Senior High School in Hialeah has turned into a source of pride for the whole school.

“The student population recognizes them, salutes them, they’re in the population,” explained Annie Perez, the physical education teacher who created the AP Runners (AP stands for American Patriots). Read More

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No April Fools’ Day here

Originally published March 30, 2019 in the Log Cabin Democrat.

By Hilary Andrews

Students across the state will soon be enjoying more break times during their school days thanks to a new law Arkansas’ governor will sign on Monday.

House Bill 1409, sponsored by Rep. Jana Della Rosa, who is serving her third term, was filed in early February for this year’s state legislative session. The proposal suggested requiring elementary schools across the state to provide at least 40 minutes of recess for its students. Read More

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Legislation Calling for More School Exercise Time Clears Key Vote

Originally published March 7, 2019 in Bethesda Magazine.

By Caitlynn Peetz

For the first time since it was introduced a decade ago, a bill requiring that elementary schools provide students 90 minutes of physical education instruction each week — double what Montgomery students get — received approval Thursday in the state House of Delegates.

As proposed, House Bill 110 was opposed by the Montgomery school board because it could have cost an estimated $11.3 million. But amendments watered down the 90-minute mandate, instead calling the time a target that school districts should aim to achieve.

The bill passed the House 140-0 and heads to the Senate for consideration. Read More

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Healthy Berkeley awards grants to Berkeley County teachers

Originally published Feb. 20, 2019 in the Herald-Mail.

By Meg Partington

Healthy Berkeley, a community collaborative headed by WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center that includes several local organizations and volunteer community members, raises funds through the Truffle Shuffle 5K to fund physical-activity grants for Berkeley County schoolteachers.

Healthy Berkeley has awarded more than $6,000 in grants over the last four years, potentially impacting more than 6,600 students. The funding goes to a wide range of equipment that teachers can use for classrooms, and during recess and after-school programs. Read More

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Physical activity and learning

Originally published Nov. 7, 2018 in the Lethbridge Herald.

An Eye on Education Column by Cheryl Gilmore

It’s that time of year again when the beauty of fall begins to wane and cooler temperatures have a tendency to push us indoors characterized by a less active routine. Whether at school or at home, I encourage everyone to push beyond the boundaries of cooler weather and find ways to keep our children and youth active.

We all intuitively know there is a direct relationship between physical activity and overall wellness. There is also a direct relationship between being active and learning. Countless studies point to the positive impact that physical activity has on student achievement. Read More