January 2006

Pleasant Avenue Students “MOVE IT!” for a Healthier Lifestyle
Playing in the snow, going to karate class, biking, walking the dog.

All of these activities are small steps to a healthier lifestyle, which is exactly what the Pleasant Avenue Elementary School community is trying to accomplish.

For the past month, approximately 71 percent of Pleasant Avenue students have been participating in the “MOVE IT!” program, an initiative designed to help motivate students — and their families — to be more physically active. The program runs through the rest of the school year.

“The title says it all,” said Principal Kathy Dougherty. “It’s really about getting the students up and moving, and the beauty of it is that it involves families, too. We’re trying to build life-long habits of physical activity on a frequent basis, more than just in physical education classes.”

The program is offered through the Radio Disney Organization. Assistant Superintendent Katherine Sullivan applauded the involvement and interest of the Pleasant Avenue PTA for partnering with Radio Disney. The program dovetails perfectly with the emphasis on wellness. MOVE IT! is funded by the PTA, which did not hesitate to show their financial support as they felt it was an investment for all children.

Every child in the school received a lanyard and activity chart, along with the challenge to track at least 20 minutes of vigorous play or exercise each day, on a weekly basis. As the children track their activities and return their charts to school, they receive collectable Radio Disney MOVE IT! pins to add to their lanyards.

Students do not have to become involved in additional sports activities to earn a pin. They can take part in simple activities such as playing a game of “capture the flag” or riding their bikes to friends’ houses.

“The pins are a reward that the students can actually see,” said physical education teacher Adam Barnhart. “When they get their pin, they realize that they were exercising, and they didn’t even know it.”

Pleasant Avenue is now in the running, along with other participating schools in the region, to win a concert experience provided by Radio Disney. “The component of participating in a healthy competition between others outside of our district is an incentive, as well,” said Barnhart. “We’re looking to get students and families involved in activities that are offered by the school, community and our own natural surroundings.”

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