Not Your Typical Gym Class...

By Matt Nelson, TV9 Photojournalist

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: May 19, 2010 at 5:53 PM CST

Story Updated: May 20, 2010 at 9:53 AM CST

GRUNDY CENTER - One small town in eastern Iowa is leading the way in improving physical education classes. Check out the video at left.

"We're giving students the opportunity here not only learning the systems of the body and being active but also how to get along and problem solve," said Rick Schupbach, PE 4 LIFE co-director.

The programs at Grundy Center Community Schools even prompted the U.S. Secretary of Education to visit last year.

"The real key right now as an elementary teacher is that what I do has to be tied into what's going on at the middle school and the high school," said Schupbach.

"A number of years ago we started doing things with trying to find programs for kids, and also equipment for kids to use," said Steve VanderPol, high school principal.

Physical fitness education there is reaching not only students, but all members of the community.

"It's all grown and we keep adding to those pieces that kids can use, added the YMCA. When they walk in the door after they've graduated, gone to school, and they still come back in, they still care about themselves to work out," said VanderPol.

"I went to school here. Well I think it's community wide, everybody's involved in this. Well the most important thing as a parent is the health of your kids. And to know that they have this program and how lucky they are to have that makes you feel good as a parent," said Jeff Dole, Grundy Center alum and parent.

"We're trying to be creative, you know in today's society to capture the imagination and interest of students you've got to do things in a different way," said Schupbach. "We just really believe it's important to teach kids at a young age how to take care of their health."

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