Chester Academy wellness unit spreads good health

By Julie Huss
Staff writer

Fri, May 16 2008

—

CHESTER — As part of a healthy lifestyle while attending school, students at Chester Academy are learning a lot about eating right and staying fit.

In meeting the goals of Chester Academy's Wellness Policy, the seventh-grade teaching team recently worked with guidance and health staff to create an integrated health unit, replacing the regular class schedule for four days.

Students watched the documentary film "Super Size Me," where a man eats nothing but fast food for a 30-day period and documents changes in his weight and cholesterol level, and how a high-fat diet impacts other parts of his body and life.

Chester students then attended a different workshop each day during the health unit work in addition to daily lessons integrating core subjects like math, social studies and language arts. Guest speakers from the local area donated time to come to the school and present afternoon workshops on topics related to nutrition and physical activity including yoga, martial arts, and how to make healthy choices with food.

Those presenting workshops included Ted Curtin of Hampstead Health and Fitness Kids' Gym; Rhonda Woodward, yoga instructor; Kim Cremin, personal trainer and Pilates instructor; Sue Olsen, registered dietitian; Erin Newnan, emergency medical technician; Krisi Havlin of Hannaford Bros. Co.; Tim Barchard of Tim Barchard's Professional Martial Arts Academy, and Children's Stage Adventures.

Chester Academy's wellness team will continue its work at the school on May 7 when all students in grades one through eight will walk laps around the school during 45-minute blocks of time. This "Walk the School Day" is part of the Wellness Committee's plan to promote physical exercise and healthy lifestyles. Each individual, class and grade will set goals on how far they hope to walk and the school total will be calculated.

For information, contact Chester Academy at 887-3621.

Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.