Glendover, Picadome celebrate Healthy Kids Day
Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Tuesday, April 21, 2009
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The P.E. teacher guided first-grader Haley Bales as she descended the rope in the Glendover gym. Haley had shinnied up to the ceiling in no time.
First-grader Haley Bales, who enjoys camping and hiking with her family, can now shinny up a rope all the way to the gym ceiling – a feat she demonstrated within seconds during Healthy Kids Day at Glendover Elementary School.
“She loves her P.E. teacher, and I want to promote healthy snacks and healthy exercise,” said her dad, Brian, as he, his wife, Haley and her little sister roamed among the booths and activities set up by the YMCA of Central Kentucky.
Janie Delong, Haley’s physical education teacher, said the event organizers hope more families come away with a stronger commitment to make healthy choices that lead to a better quality of life.
“Families need to be educated, and children need more opportunities to stay active,” she said, adding, “Glendover works to promote the importance of taking care of our bodies through exercise, sleep and proper nutrition.”
The national YMCA Healthy Kids Day was April 18, a Saturday. In Fayette County schools, Glendover celebrated it Thursday with a health fair and a 5K family walk through the Arboretum. Picadome Elementary marked the event last Wednesday evening with similar activities and community booths.
Picadome third-grader T.J. Harvey, who has a treadmill at home and plays baseball, made his way through every activity in the gym – bowling, yoga, an obstacle course and several fitness stations. “I do like to exercise,” he said after a few pushups.
Students and their parents also stopped by information tables to pick up pencils, fliers and other resources from such groups as the University of Kentucky’s Cooperative Extension, the county health department and Kool Smiles dentistry. Martial arts demonstrations and fire truck tours were offered as well, along with healthy snacks of cheese, pretzels and grapes.
Jennifer Hubbard, special programs director in the Y’s child development branch, oversaw the programs at both schools – making sure that her helpers had enough hula hoops and jump ropes and that everyone was having a good time.
“It gets youth excited about being physically active and gives them ideas of what’s available to them,” she said. “We need to encourage our kids, and we also need to be role models to them to keep them active and healthy.”
Joe Bowsher, a P.E. teacher at Picadome, said he’s excited about helping to promote Healthy Kids Day again next year. “We try to talk to the kids about learning about the resources and services out in the community. This is a great chance for the Y and the school to work together,” he said.
“My goal is always heading (students) toward adulthood and a healthy lifestyle for the rest of their lives,” Bowsher said. “(Healthy Kids Day) lets the whole family participate together and learn together. If mom, dad and the kids are all on the same page with healthy concepts, they’re more likely to put it into practice.”