MSAD #4 Mid-Winter Wellness Challenge

What is the Mid-Winter Wellness Challenge?

          MSAD #4 is challenging students and staff to improve their health by becoming more active on a daily basis.  Beginning next week and ending before February Vacation, each school will be keeping track of the amount of physical activity students and staff participate in.  At the McKusick and Primary Schools, a Wellness Log will be going home each week as a way for each student to keep track of his or her physical activity.  With the help of someone at home, they will record what kind of activity they do and how long they do it.  It will need to be signed by both the student and their parent or guardian and returned to school.  Each school will be graphing the time spent being active as a way to encourage people to increase physical activity.

Why should students be physically active?

“Physical activity programs have shown positive effects on academic achievement, including increased concentration; improved mathematics, reading, and writing test scores; and reduced disruptive behavior, even when time for physical activity reduces the time for academics.”

- Journal of School Health

“Physically active children and adults improve in many areas of psychological well-being, including gaining more self-confidence and higher self-esteem.”

- American Heart Association

 

What can students do to be physically active?

Basketball                                Martial Arts                              Snowshoeing

Bowling                                    Play Outside                             Swimming

Bring in Wood                          Running                                    Volleyball

Build Snowmen                        Shovel                                      Walk the Dog

Dancing                                    Skating                                     Walking

Gymnastics                               Skiing                                       Yoga

Jump Rope                               Sliding 

What can parents do to be good role models?

*Make sure children understand why being physically active is important.

*Find fun activities the whole family can do together. 

*Encourage children to plan physical activities for the family.

*Exercise on your own so children can see you believe exercise is important.

Make exercise a part of your life!!!