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Whether it’s striking up the warrior pose or practicing putting, families in Downers Grove Grade School District 58 can find the exercise right for them at the upcoming Family Fitness Fair.
Indian Trail fifth-grade teacher Mary French is helping to organize the inaugural district-wide event. The fair is from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, at O’Neill Middle School, 635 59th St.
French said the featured speaker is a doctor from the DuPage Medical Group who will speak at 8 p.m. about childhood obesity.
French, who said she is physically active in her spare time, said she can see students struggle in the classroom that are not getting enough physical activity or eating properly.
“I see the kids in the room, and you can see when they don’t have breakfast, they’re not eating right or functioning,” French said. “There are direct correlations with exercise and the school work gets better. (Exercise) is directly related to (the students) in the classroom.”
French said the Family Fitness Fair will provide opportunities for students and their families to learn about healthy eating options, take part in games, try out a yoga class and participate in a golf demonstration.
Pat Brown, District 58 physical education teacher and fair coordinator, said the event will help teach students at a young age the importance of healthy eating and exercise.
“We want to help children develop those positive habits and practices at an early age, and the Family Fitness Fair will offer a variety of engaging activities to make the concepts memorable and fun,” Brown said.
French decided she would also organize an after-school fitness session with any fifth- or sixth-grade student motivated to participate. The first session was Jan. 21.
“We get together, and we exercise. At the end, we talk about nutrition and (the students) bring a snack,” French said.
French also assigns the students some homework, which consists of simple exercises they can do after school.
“I just hope they realize they have to take better care of themselves because they only get one body,” French said.
Whether it’s striking up the warrior pose or practicing putting, families in Downers Grove Grade School District 58 can find the exercise right for them at the upcoming Family Fitness Fair.
Indian Trail fifth-grade teacher Mary French is helping to organize the inaugural district-wide event. The fair is from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, at O’Neill Middle School, 635 59th St.
French said the featured speaker is a doctor from the DuPage Medical Group who will speak at 8 p.m. about childhood obesity.
French, who said she is physically active in her spare time, said she can see students struggle in the classroom that are not getting enough physical activity or eating properly.
“I see the kids in the room, and you can see when they don’t have breakfast, they’re not eating right or functioning,” French said. “There are direct correlations with exercise and the school work gets better. (Exercise) is directly related to (the students) in the classroom.”
French said the Family Fitness Fair will provide opportunities for students and their families to learn about healthy eating options, take part in games, try out a yoga class and participate in a golf demonstration.
Pat Brown, District 58 physical education teacher and fair coordinator, said the event will help teach students at a young age the importance of healthy eating and exercise.
“We want to help children develop those positive habits and practices at an early age, and the Family Fitness Fair will offer a variety of engaging activities to make the concepts memorable and fun,” Brown said.
French decided she would also organize an after-school fitness session with any fifth- or sixth-grade student motivated to participate. The first session was Jan. 21.
“We get together, and we exercise. At the end, we talk about nutrition and (the students) bring a snack,” French said.
French also assigns the students some homework, which consists of simple exercises they can do after school.
“I just hope they realize they have to take better care of themselves because they only get one body,” French said.
