Signal Staff Writer
tmarashlian@the-signal.com
Posted: Nov. 6, 2009 10:22 p.m.
Kathy Shaw always knew that if she built it, they would run.
Shaw, a registered nurse who now teaches physical education at Helmers Elementary School, established the Fit Team program in response to the growing epidemic of childhood obesity.
"I was so overwhelmed by what was happening," she said.
Now, seven years later, more than 750 first- through sixth-graders at the Valencia school are involved in the school-wide Fit Team, which promotes fitness and a healthy lifestyle.
The plan began with Health Week and grew into a unique program that runs circles around childhood obesity.
The students spend about 20 Fridays of the school year decked in "Helmers Fit Team" T-shirts, running or walking laps during the 30-minute mid-day recess.
"It's really a well-oiled machine now," Shaw said.
About 30 teachers also join Fit Team Fridays, sharing lunch with their students before hitting the track, Shaw said.
"They get excited when the day approaches," third-grade teacher Richard McElroy said after a run.
Every student who participates earns a brightly colored foot charm for a necklace. The plastic charms have become a hot trend on campus as students pick their favorite colored charms to hang around their necks throughout the school year.
For every five miles, students earn a number 5 charm for their necklaces and get their pick of one of nearly 20 different types of "weepuls," little fuzzy balls that come in the form of animals and bugs.
While McElroy hopes to serve as a good example for his students by participating, the charms seem to do a good job too.
"The prizes help make it a little more tangible," he said.
Seven-year-old Dylan Cuny finished his run on Friday and collected his foot charm.
"I like to be the top runner and collect weepuls," he said.
The classrooms also team up in a Fit Team competition in which the winning team is rewarded with an end-of-the-year smoothie party, Shaw said.
The program became so popular with students that Shaw established an after-school program during which runners can earn extra miles toward more charms and weepuls.
Last year's top student marked 120 miles, Shaw said. The school collectively ran 11,700 miles last school year.
"It really is a dream come true," she said.
Over the past seven years, Shaw said she has watched a new mentality about fitness and wellness emerge in the youngsters.
Discipline problems stop on Fridays as the program turns into a team-building exercises for classrooms and the Valencia school.
"It makes such a difference to them," she said. "It's a fun reason to come to school."
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