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Getting students healthy step by step
Incentives to run build good habits
Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008
 Click here to enlarge this photo Staff photos by GRETCHEN PHILLIPS
Roberta "Bobbie" Wise, vice chairwoman of the Charles County Board of Education, runs around the STEPS course with Brittney Brengle and Jonathan Magness on Thursday during the STEPS program held at J.P. Ryon Elementary School.
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Students at J.P Ryon Elementary School are stepping into good health one lap at a time.
A new program started at the school called Students that Elevate Physical Success, or STEPS, is taking the school by storm as students are becoming more motivated to exercise.
Physical education teacher Jillian Bates and school staff started the STEPS program this year. Bates said the program is not mandatory and is carried out during recess times at the school.
According to a press release, the program allows for children to walk or jog around a pre-measured course outside. Every 10 laps equals a mile, and students keep track of their miles with cards given to them by Bates.
"It's fun, healthy and it's active," said Zahira Johnson, 7.
On Thursday, members of the Charles County Board of Education were invited to witness the STEPS program in action.
Vice Chairwoman Roberta S. Wise asked some kindergarten students to run around the course with her so she could get a feel for the program.
Wise said she likes to see innovative ideas such as STEPS being introduced to students. She said anything "that gets the students involved in activities that are good for their health is fantastic."
Wise said she would like to see the activities carry through to the students' adult lives.
For now, the students are merely focused on earning more punches in their cards as they get special prizes for completing miles. Bates said staff was working on designing a T-shirt for students who reach the 50-mile mark. Other prizes include charms in the shape of a foot for five miles, certificates for 25 miles and a gold medal for 100 miles. The goal for the school is to have students walk or run 100 miles by the end of the year. The program began Oct. 6.
"It's just the kind of thing that gets kids out and gets them moving. It's fun for them but it's also very good for them," said Deputy Superintendent Ronald G. Cunningham.
Brittney Brengle, 5, ran around the track five times last week and said she liked to run.
"I like to run, and I like running with my fast shoes on," she said.
As students completed laps, some were getting their cards punched while others went on for more laps.
Bates stood by ready to hand out punches, cards and even high-fives to the students.
Bates said many teachers and parent volunteers help out with the program during recess and the program is a real hit at the school.
Bates said the program is based on many national programs but this one is designed to "fit our school."
At the end of recess last week, students lined up to go back inside.
Bates paused to speak with a reporter when a welcome interruption came from Erica Rodriguez, 6, who had done many laps around the track. In two words, Erica expressed the success of the program and its ability to get students' energy out in a healthy way.
"I'm tired," she said.
gphillips@somdnews.com
