New Law Gets Kids Movin' in School

By Claire Kellett, Anchor/Reporter

Tools

By Daren Sukhram

Story Created: Sep 3, 2009 at 4:42 PM CST

Story Updated: Sep 3, 2009 at 4:42 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS - Starting this school year, a new state law, the Healthy Kids Act, makes sure students are physically moving for a certain length of time each day.

In the future it will also require students to learn CPR and will help them make healthier food choices in the cafeteria.

Before this school year, elementary principals in the Cedar Rapids district brainstormed ideas to keep the kids active. They came up with some pretty creative ideas to make fitness fun.

Music is a motivator. The Jackson Five has fourth graders at Viola Gibson Elementary School swaying to the beat. Brooks and Dunn brings out the country side in these students.

Who says you can't line dance in the classroom?

All of this activity is part of the curriculum at Viola Gibson.

"We're not just looking at the academic side of kids, we're also looking at the healthy side of kids. You've got to be healthy academically, emotionally, and physically," said teacher Chris Nelson.

Iowa is making sure school districts across the state follow that same motto. Part of Iowa's new Healthy Kids Act requires schools keep kids moving for a certain amount of time every day.

At the elementary level, it's 30 minutes.

"We're seeing kids be less and less active in their home life and in their neighborhood and things like that. I think that's part of the reason the Healthy Kids Act came about," educator Mary Ellen Maske said.

Meeting the 30 minute mandate is especially important on days students don't have P.E. Viola Gibson requires kids take a lap around the trail right before recess.

There's also dancing sessions and mini aerobics classes during the day.

"It relaxes me. I get in the chair and I'm ready for another assignment," said student Jesse Buck.

Classmate Lucas Petsche said, "When we are done it really relaxes me, and I like the music, too."

CPR certification classes will be mandatory starting with students who graduate in 2012, which means they are now sophomores.

And the nutrition requirements for food sold at school but not in the lunch line are a work in progress because that requires collaborating with vending machine companies.

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