Midland Challenges Students to Stay Fit by Walking to School

May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, and to encourage physical activity at the elementary level, the Midland School is challenging students to stay fit by walking to school next week.

The school is inviting students to participate in the "Walk to School Week Activity Challenge," which begins on May 17 and ends on May 21.

"Each participant will receive a pedometer and a tracking sheet to record an activity they participate in each day, as well as tracking the number of steps walked or the number of minutes they do a physical activity," said Joyelle Brownson, co-chair of Midland's Wellness Committee.

The Wellness Committee has organized the event to challenge every student to make physical activity, fitness, and sports a priority, "whether it's playing soccer, riding your bicycle, walking to school, walking the dog, or working in the garden," Brownson said.

Currently, a third of school-aged children in Westchester are obese. The Rye school district has promoted health and physical fitness through Wellness Committees at each school, which is made up of parents, nurses, physical education teachers and the district's athletic director. Schools in the district have also held events to keep kids active.

In March, Rye Middle School held a "Hoops for Heart" event to raise money and awareness about heart disease. More than 100 children attended, shooting hoops and playing in a basketball tournament for about two hours in the Rye Middle School gym.

Last week, 500 parents and students at the Osborn School participated in PACE day, exercising together before the New York State Math exam for the third through fifth grades.

The Midland School Wellness Committee hopes next week's initiative will have a lasting impact on students and encourage them to make exercise a part of their routine.

"Fit kids are better students as physical activity raises your energy level and sharpens your concentration. No matter what your age is, exercise can strengthen your heart and your bones, as well as decrease your stress level," the committee wrote in a newsletter to parents.

Students who participate in the "Walk to School Week Activity Challenge" will be entered into a raffle to win Modell's gift certificates. Ralph Borsella from Allstate Insurance in Rye donated the pedometers each child will receive.