Middle School Participates In Pedometer Program

By Tanjua Damon

One of Michelle Fontaine’s eighth grade physical education classes at Newtown Middle School is participating in a pilot program that will hopefully increase students’ involvement in understanding of the importance of physical activity and good nutrition.

To do this the 28 students received pedometers, thanks to a grant from the State Department of Education. Every day for six weeks, the students will wear the pedometer on their waist band, which will measure how many steps they take each day. Students are being asked to wear the device from the time they wake up to the time they go to bed. Their steps will be tallied about once a week.

Middle school nurse Barbara Reilly explained that each students’ height, weight, and body mass index was anonymously recorded so students do not know those results. The same measurements will be taken again at the end of the six weeks to measure results. Students are also encouraged to eat nutritiously and eat breakfast each day.

The students have called the program, “Miles in Motion: A Quest for Health,” and have designed a bulletin board in the cafeteria so the entire school can follow along. The students hope to walk the number of steps it would take to get to Disneyland in California, which is 7,551,033 steps.

“We’re always looking for ways to make kids healthier,” Ms Reilly said. “Exercise empowers. It enables their brains to work better. We want to make moving a lifestyle, a fun thing that isn’t a chore to do. The idea with this is not to lose weight but to get healthier.”

Ms Reilly also stated that she hoped the program would give students an outlet to deal with other things in their lives as well.

“I hope it gives them a tool for when they aren’t feeling good or they are down,” Ms Reilly said. “Something positive to work from.”

The district was able to do the pilot program because of a grant District Health Coordinator Judy Blanchard applied for. The district has done five programs including this one at the middle school. The cost of the program is about $500. The school can reuse the pedometers again if it chooses.

Principal Diane Sherlock will also participate in the program along with the 28 students.

“I think it’s outstanding,” Ms Sherlock said. “What a great way to get students in touch with how physical activity relates to lifelong fitness.”

Student Jessica Orama thought being the pilot class was neat.

“I think it’s cool being able to do it,” Jessica said. “I think it will be a good idea so we know how to get in shape and know how many steps we take a day.”

Physical education teacher Ms Fountain likes the program because it fits into the curriculum and allows students to see how something simple can affect their health in a positive way.

“It focuses on lifelong wellness-related activities. Walking is something almost everyone can participate in,” Ms Fountain said. “This is a national program.”

Participants will have to take almost 2,000 steps each day to reach their goal to California.