Sports Icons Come Together to Encourage More Movement In Schools

Hundreds of Boston area students and teachers at Marriott Copley Plaza on Thursday, March 15, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for physical activity showcase

BOSTON, March 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Sports icons Doug Flutie, Carl Lewis, Kristine Lilly and White House Associate Chef Sam Kass as well as Jared "The SUBWAY Guy" will be among the celebrities moving on Thursday, March 15 at the second annual Let's Move in School Showcase.  Presented by the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD), Let's Move in School is a national initiative to increase physical activity before, during and after school. In support of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! campaign, AAHPERD has brought together leading education, health and sports organizations to advance school-based physical activity.

"Although it has been established by research that a minimum of 60 minutes of physical activity a day is essential for student health and academic performance, we are challenged with how to offer adequate physical education and physical activity in the face of other education demands," states Irene Cucina, AAHPERD President Elect. "Let's Move in School provides a unified message along with tools and resources to implement a comprehensive school physical activity program."

With quality physical education as the cornerstone, a comprehensive school physical activity program enables students to practice and apply movement skills in a culture of active learning. These "active outlets" include morning announcements, classroom activity breaks, integration of activity into classroom lessons, recess, activity clubs, walk to school programs and intramural and interscholastic sports.

Let's Move in School Showcase

The Let's Move in School Showcase, featuring students from seven Boston Public Schools and one school from Springfield, will model what schools can do to increase physical activity before, during and after school. Participating schools include: Mather Elementary School, Chittick Elementary School, Umana Academy, Donald McKay Middle School, Madison Park Technical and Vocational High School, Kennedy Academy for Health and Careers, Watertown HS and Over The Top Ballroom Dance Project.

Massachusetts Physical Education Teacher Coach Cate Dill, who recently trekked across the country by walking, biking and snow shoeing in an unprecedented 5,246 mile journey to promote healthy living, will lead the students in a warm up. Keeping the students moving will be 2011 Dance Educator of the Year Cindy Jones who has choreographed a special Let's Move in School dance.    

"It's great to be part of the Let's Move in School celebration," said Heisman Trophy Recipient Doug Flutie. "With quality physical education as the foundation of the Let's Move in School initiative, students can take the knowledge and skills learned in physical education class and apply these skills throughout the day in many different activities. We want our schools to create a culture that values physical activity and teaching students great habits so they can follow their dreams."

Representing First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Assistant Chef Sam Kass spoke of the importance of balancing physical activity with healthy eating.  He wants everyone's help in ending childhood obesity.

Carl Lewis, the only US Track and Field athlete to win nine Olympic gold medals, closed the event by leading an after school game to build running, jumping and throwing skills.

Aligning Education and Health Leaders

Let's Move in School brings together leading national associations, federal partners, and corporate partners in an effort to help schools coordinate physical activity before, during, and after school. Strategic partners are ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development), National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), National Association for Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and the National School Boards Association (NSBA). In addition, more than 50 national nonprofits have joined as supporters of this new initiative including the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition.

Getting Started

Schools can get started by planning a Let's Move in School celebration during National Physical Education and Sport Week, May 1-7, 2012. More than seven million students are already signed-up to take part. To register a school celebration, find out more about the initiative, and access promotional videos, tools and more visit www.LetsMoveInSchool.org.

The Let's Move in School Showcase is supported by the following partners, committed to improving physical activity among youth: BOKS,  HERSHEY'S Track and Field Games, ING Run For Something Better, Konami, PlayCore, Playworld Systems, Polar, The Century Council, and the United States Tennis Association.

American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD)
AAHPERD, an alliance of five national associations, six district associations, and a Research Consortium, provides its members with a comprehensive and coordinated array of resources, support, and programs to help practitioners improve their skills to further the health and well-being of the American public. It is the largest organization of professionals involved in physical education, recreation, fitness, dance, health promotion and all specialties related to achieving an active, healthy lifestyle. AAHPERD serves 20,000 members and has its headquarters in Reston, Virginia, 25 miles west of Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.aahperd.org.

SOURCE American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD)

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