Kids love moving around, and this year Clearview Elementary students are being given the chance to do just that with the school’s new morning walking program.

 

The program is the brainchild of Principal Sheri Rutar.

 

“I knew kids need more movement in their day so I spoke to our phy ed teacher,” said Rutar. “We had an optional walking program during recess a couple years ago, and we decided to implement that into our daily routine.”

 

The walking program begins every morning at 7:30 and goes until 9; each grade participates for around 15 minutes. The students have the option to walk or run, there are lanes to keep them separated for safety.

 

“Research has shown early morning movement gets our brains ready to learn,” explained Rutar. “We’re hoping that it helps get them [the students] in the routine of it.”

 

Sometime in the next month the school will be adding incentives to the program. Students will each receive a card to keep track of their laps, and once they reach a certain number of laps they’ll turn their card in to physical education teacher George Bienusa, who will exchange it for a charm they can hang from a little metal chain. 

 

“The students love to collect them,” said Rutar. “We did this during our recess walking program and some of the kids still have them. The charms can hook onto just about anything, kids attach them to their shoes and backpacks.”

 

Although just over a week old, the program appears to be a success; teachers are reporting it’s going over really well with their classes.