-- Winter 2005 Edition --

Warren Point's Creative and Award Winning Program By Linda Rosen, Certified Medical Exercise Specialist    Patty Nolan, physical education teacher at Warren Point Elementary School, along with school nurse Kathy Szabo, created an award winning health and fitness lifestyle at the school.  This Fall, in Atlantic City, they were awarded first place for the prestigious Parent Family Involvement Award given by the state of New Jersey Parent Teachers Association. Ms. Nolan was told that there were many schools vying for the award but that Warren Point won “hands down”. The award was given for the program they created using a different activity for each day of the week in which the entire school family participates. Below is an outline of the program.  Moving Mondays – At lunch on Mondays, Ms. Nolan walks and runs along with the students as they accumulate miles. Students have a certain amount of miles to accumulate by the end of the school year in order to be placed on the Physical Fitness Honor Roll. The miles depend on grade level. As an example, each student in grades 4-5 must accumulate 15 miles. If a student accumulates his/her miles before the end of the school year, they can try to accomplish the feat again.  Thirsty Tuesdays – Students learn the importance of hydrating with water and keep a bottle of water on their desks to drink all day long.  Walking and Wheeling Wednesdays – Students are encouraged to walk, ride bikes, or roller blade to school on Wednesdays. Those that have done this 15 times are then placed on the Physical Fitness Honor Roll. Once they make it, they can try to do it again. Parents usually walk with the children and accommodations are made to meet their needs and schedules.   Tournament Thursdays – Lunchtime tournaments go on all year long. They recently finished their soccer tournament and have moved on to volleyball and Newcomb. Winners of the tournaments are awarded a pedometer at the end of the school year.   Fat Free Fridays – Students are encouraged to eat healthy meals and snacks, fat free.  In addition to the weekly activities, Warren Point School has changed the way birthdays are celebrated. In lieu of cake and ice cream families are requested to send in healthy alternatives. Parents have been sending in fruit and vegetable platters, cheese and crackers, yogurt, celery sticks and peanut butter to name a few. Ms. Nolan told me that there haven’t been any problems with this. The parents are very happy about it. She also has an “FYI” each month with an “exercise of the month” that the children are asked to do at home with their parents as well as in Phys. Ed. class. In addition she gives a “recipe of the month” or a “nutritious tip.”  In addition to all the activities mentioned above, Ms. Nolan said that in April, Warren Point held an “awesome” event, which also contributed to it getting the national award. The school had a Mini Run/Walk on a Sunday on the streets of Fair Lawn blocked off by the police. The number of miles to complete went according to age and 1,000 people attended!   The Health and Fitness Expo held at Warren Point in November 2003 also put it in first place for the PTA award. The students and parents all participated in kickboxing, yoga, strength and conditioning workouts, and had massages from a licensed massage therapist, adjustments from a chiropractor, and nutrition tips from a dietician. Healthy food was provided for all to taste.  Ms. Nolan believes that the parents are more aware of the causes of obesity and the children are more aware of good nutrition and very proud of themselves. Whenever she walks into the lunchroom they are excited to tell her, “Look Ms Nolan, I have pineapple for dessert!” She says that she has seen the size of the students getting bigger over her 17 years of teaching. Her goal and that of Warren Point School is to teach a healthy lifestyle. She teaches lifetime activities, games that can be used throughout their lives, not only in Phys. Ed class.  See Linda Rosen's related story on Fair Lawn Kids and Obesity   See Linda Rosen's Previous Columns Common Sense (Fall 2004) Questions and Answers on Fitness  (Summer 2004) Atkins in Fair Lawn  (Spring 2004) Walkability and Obesity (Winter 2004) Get Out and Walk  (Fall 2003) Get In The Water  (Summer 2003) Yard Work Can Really Hurt Your Back (April 2003) Exercise Equipment  (February 2003) Great Places To Walk  (December 2002) On The Tennis Court - Part 2 (October 2002) On The Tennis Court - Part 1 (August 2002) Core Exercises (June 2002) Keep Your Belly In  (April 2002) Improving Your Posture  (February 2002)