4th grade students at Shasta Elementary kick-off 2012/13 Exercise Accross California | Health

4TH and 5th grade students will walk, skip, run, or jump 2,126 miles, the distance around CA

WHAT:                 Fourth grade students of Shasta Elementary School in Manteca Unified School District and their families will kick-off the 2012/13 Exercise Across California Program. As part of Exercise Across California, Shasta Elementary will be one of the 15 participating schools in San Joaquin County where fourth and fifth grade students are challenged to walk, skip, run, or jump 2,126 miles, the distance around the State of California. To celebrate the kick-off, Shasta students and their families will watch an interactive performance, courtesy of Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre Program

WHEN:                                 Wednesday, November 7, 2012

                                9:30 – 10-:30 a.m.

WHO:                   Participating fourth grade students, teachers and families

WHERE:               Shasta Elementary School multi-purpose room

                                751 E. Edison Street, Manteca 95336

WHY:                    In an effort to motivate children to be active and healthy, San Joaquin County Office of Education, together with Kaiser Permanente, initiated a fitness program called Exercise Across California in 2009. Fourth and fifth grade students from participating schools in San Joaquin County are challenged to exercise 2,126 miles, the distance around California. The program begins on November 5 and concludes on March 31. Students also virtually visit thirteen historic landmarks along their statewide journey. These students are encouraged to improve physical fitness above school requirements through new P.E. equipment and pedometers for each student to track their progress.  At the end of the program, three students from each school have the opportunity to tour one of the historical landmarks they learned about, the Golden Gate Bridge, and attend a Giants game.

The Exercise Across California Program is funded through the Kaiser Permanente Community Benefit Programs Grant. For the fourth year of the grant for 2012-2013, 15 schools from throughout San Joaquin County are participating. The program is also a collaborative effort with UC Davis Cooperative Extension and Network for a Healthy California to provide their Power Play nutritional program. Also, participating schools will receive fresh produce each month from the Harvest of the Month program.  Participating students will celebrate their success with a culminating event where the Kaiser Performance Troupe will perform.  Schools will receive $1,500 to purchase P.E. equipment and each student will be rewarded with a certificate and medal of completion.

Source: San Joaquin Office of Education