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Last updated 11:43 am CT September 02, 2010.
Students Benefit from Gift for PE Program
Three days a week, they spend 30 heart pounding minutes in PE.
"We have our curriculum around the idea that the students are moving around all the time. We do some competitive activities, but we're more towards fitness and being able to have fun and move and get their heart rates up," said PE teacher Jill Misner.
Now, thanks to a gift from Kohl's and Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, Unity Point will be able to purchase heart monitors at the end of the month.
Past purchases have enabled the school to buy other equipment like pedometers to help measure students activity.
"It lets the students know they can still have fun and be fit. With the obesity rate where it is today, it's good to have a little fun with it and not realize that it's all fun that you have to do," said Misner.
The physical activity is just one part of the Coordinated Approach to Child Health program. The other part of CATCH involves nutrition. In fact, students now enjoy a piece fresh fruit after PE.
"It helps the children to get their five a day, get one closer to that five a day. A lot of children have had a plum before, so they've had plums and all kinds of fruits they would never even try," said food service director Ulli Tragoudas.
Students say it's a habit that's "catch"ing on at home too.
"I did some of it before, I do it now more," said fourth grader Ian Stewart.
Schools in De Soto, Giant City, and Carbondale District 95 will also receive a portion of the nearly ten thousand dollar donation.
by Kevin Hunsperger
khunsperger@wsiltv.com
Now: 1283451539
