Active Schools Campaign Let's Move! WV is about putting children on the path to a healthy future.

Let’s Move! WV is an initiative that has strong support from State Superintendent, Jorea Marple for grades Pre-K through Eighth that recommends schools accumulate an additional 15 minutes of daily physical activity. High schools are encouraged to explore ways to add additional physical activity opportunities to the school day.

Superintendent Jorea M. Marple, Jorea M. Marple Ed.E.

Physical Activity produces Health Benefits Reduces the risk for overweight, diabetes, and other chronic disease Helps children feel better about themselves Reduces the risk for depression and the effects of stress Helps children prepare to be productive, healthy members of society and improves overall quality of life.

Robert Wood Johnson foundation “ Activity breaks can improve… cognitive performance classroom behavior.” Physical Activity may lead to Academic Benefits Wood County Nationally recognized research from Wood County Schools in Parkersburg, WV recently highlighted by both the Centers of Disease Control and the American Heart Association, has clearly shown the positive connections between healthier children, daily physical activity and academic performance.

Wood County Findings

2011 Aerobic Capacity County specific data is enclosed 2011 County data on all the fitness assessments available in August on OHS website Aerobic Capacity *Superintendents and Principals need to commit to completion of State mandated FITNESSGRAM and HEAP assessments. Data supports any positive changes in WESTEST scores.*

Physical Activity Break Let’s Move! WV -Paper Aerobics- *Youth who are regularly active also have a better chance of a healthy adulthood.*

In 2008, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued physical activity guidelines for Americans, ages 6 and older. Recommendation was for children and adolescents to participate in 60 minutes or more of physical activity daily. The American Heart Association recommends that children and adolescents should do 60 minutes or more of physical activity daily and they participate in physical activities that are appropriate for their age and enjoyable. Physical Activity Recommendations

Schools are a key place for kids to get a portion of the recommended 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity each day.

Where do Counties start? Superintendent support for Let’s Move! WV needs to be conveyed to principals before school starts. Principals need to provide information on Let’s Move! WV Resource guide (overview)overview to the entire staff during opening meetings for the 2011/2012 school year.

Where do schools start? Beginning of School, an online Physical Activity Resource Guide will be available for downloading. Notification of availability sent through ListServs and Office of Healthy Schools website.

Physical Activity BreakBreak Let’s Move! WV *Youth who are regularly active also have a better chance of a healthy adulthood.*

Planning 2510 has been revised to remove time constraints Time is available for 15 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity in Pre-K through Grade Eight. *May be accumulated in 5 minute movement breaks* Key point-In addition to physical education, recess and other physical activities

It is suggested that the Resource Guide activities be introduced by the physical education teacher at the beginning of the school year. After the introduction of the activities, the classroom teacher facilitates student participation in Let’s Move! WV-Active Schools with activities from the guide or from a resource of their choice.

Professional Development RESA Regional School Wellness Specialist (RSWS) available for technical assistance Health and Physical Education Leadership Academy graduates Application for Health and Physical Education Leadership Academy West Virginia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (WVAHPERD) Fall State Conference KidStrong-June 13-14, 2012

Physical Activity BreakBreak Let’s Move! WV *Youth who are regularly active also have a better chance of a healthy adulthood.*

Let’s Move! West Virginia Active Schools Teachers should select activities from the Resource Guide or other sources based on their comfort level with the goal of completing additional 15 minutes of total activity time each day. Showcase a school wide physical activity physical activity Coordinate Coordinate use of equipment between physical education teacher and classroom teacher Activity Tracker

Let’s Move! WV as a Wellness initiative Consideration for 15 minute activity breaks as a goal in County Wellness Policy County on-line Strategic Plan Under Student Support Service- place to put county wellness plan containing physical activity goals.

Everyone in school needs to be actively engaged in and supportive of Let’s Move! WV -Active Schools for it to be successful. Dr. Marple’s message says it all… “ If you are in a school where kids aren’t physically active… …do something about it!”