Indiana’s First Lady to speak at KidFit event
FOR RELEASE: Sunday, May 17, 2009
Huntington, Ind.-Cheri Daniels, Indiana's First Lady, will be the featured speaker at the Northwest Elementary School's KidFit post-test event. Daniels will arrive by helicopter on the campus of Huntington University at 10 a.m. on May 20. KidFit is a pilot program for the Huntington County Community School Corporation. The 2008-2009 school year was the inaugural year for the program, which began in August. Northwest offered KidFit on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.
"KidFit is designed to get students moving before the academic classroom begins," said Erin Holloway, physical education teacher for Northwest. "Studies show that exercising before academics wakes up the brain by creating more blood flow to the brain. Students who exercise on a regular basis before school are more alert, have a quicker response time and are engaged in classroom learning."
The Huntington University Department of Kinesiology and Recreation Management and intern Nick Johnson, a senior exercise science major from Huntington, Ind., worked with the students and collaborated with Northwest fourth and fifth grade teachers.
Joanne Green, the experiential learning coordinator for the university's Enterprise Resource Center, served as an organizer and coordinator for KidFit. Dr. Matthew Ruiz, assistant professor of exercise science, is the lead investigator for the KidFit research.
Coach's Connection, Shuttleworth, and Huntington University offered KidFit participants exercise clothing and a new pair of New Balance running shoes. The outfits stayed at school and were washed weekly. At the end of the school year, children can take the clothing and shoes home.
Parkview Huntington Hospital donated $1,500 from its community benefit fund to the KidFit program for the purchase of two treadmills and a recumbent bike. The hospital regularly supports initiatives that meet its mission to improve the health of the community.
Wednesday, May 20
10 a.m. Children from Northwest Elementary School to arrive at HU
10 a.m. Cheri Daniels, Indiana's First Lady, to arrive by helicopter
10:15-11:15 a.m. Post Test
Timed mile
Strength testing
Flexibility testing
Height and weight measurements
11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Lunch at Pizza Hut
12:30 p.m. Students to return to Northwest Elementary School
12:30-1 p.m. Mrs. Daniels to visit Andrews Elementary
1:30-2 p.m. Mrs. Daniels to visit Northwest Elementary
2:30-3 p.m. Mrs. Daniels to visit Roanoke Elementary
3 p.m. Mrs. Daniels to leave for Indianapolis
*Note: Media may arrive at 10 a.m. or just before.
Location
All events will take place on the track behind the university's Merillat Complex for Physical Education and Recreation. In the event of inclement weather, events will take place in the MCPER field house.
