Schools place emphasis on nutrition & fitness
BY TALI ISRAELI
Staff Writer

MARLBORO - Every step counts in the Marlboro K-8 School District.

In an effort to promote a healthier lifestyle for pupils, the administration is participating in a district-wide initiative to encourage pupils to become more physically active and to make better nutritional choices in the foods they eat.

The Marlboro Memorial Middle School and the Marlboro Middle School participated in the Live It! program which is sponsored by Coca-Cola. Every pupil and several volunteer staff members received a pedometer courtesy of Coca-Cola. Students were required to wear the pedometers for one week.

Live It! is designed to engage and educate pupils about the importance of regular physical activity and healthy eating, according to information provided by the district.

From Sept. 25-29 each middle school pupil in the district wore a pedometer from morning until night. The youngsters were encouraged to walk 10,000 steps a day (5 miles).

According to John Pacifico, the Marlboro Memorial Middle School vice principal and the health and physical education supervisor, the pupils participated in activities during their gym classes in order to keep them active. Pacifico said the pupils were supposed to have been active at home as well.

The pupils reported to their physical education teachers, who tracked their pedometer reading on a daily basis.

The goal of the program, according to Pacifico, was to attempt to alter the pupils' lifestyles for a week in an effort to help them make healthier choices.

The Live It! program also emphasized nutritious alternatives for pupils when making choices for lunch and snack foods.

According to a press release, the healthy food choices suggested by the program are in line with a new state directive regarding nutritional foods that may be offered to pupils in a school cafeteria.

Pacifico said the food choices promoted in the cafeteria include suggestions on preparation including grilled and baked products instead of fried foods.

Pacifico said he believes the program went very well. The pupils were excited about it and they seemed to make a good effort, he added. Hopefully for some students, Pacifico said, the program's guidance for a healthier lifestyle will have a long-lasting effect.

Marlboro administrators are also participating in the Live It! program. Superintendent of Schools David Abbott, along with supervisors, principals and vice principals are all wearing pedometers and tracking their steps on a chart that is posted in the administration building.

As for the elementary schools, 30 pedometers and heart rate monitors were purchased with funds allocated in the 2006-07 school budget, according to the press release.

Pupils will have access to the equipment in their health and physical education classes. The youngsters will be taught the importance of physical exercise and how it affects their heart and body in a positive way.

According to the press release, the PTAs and PTOs are also promoting physical fitness.

On Sept. 28 the Marlboro Middle School PTO hosted a walk-a-thon as its major fundraiser for the year. Students completed 30 laps around the soccer fields.

The Marlboro Memorial Middle School PTA is planning to hold a similar walk-a-thon fundraiser in the near future.

Pacifico said the food choices promoted in the cafeteria include suggestions on preparation including grilled and baked products instead of fried foods.

Pacifico said he believes the program went very well. The pupils were excited about it and they seemed to make a good effort, he added. Hopefully for some students, Pacifico said, the program's guidance for a healthier lifestyle will have a long-lasting effect.

Marlboro administrators are also participating in the Live It! program. Superintendent of Schools David Abbott, along with supervisors, principals and vice principals are all wearing pedometers and tracking their steps on a chart that is posted in the administration building.

As for the elementary schools, 30 pedometers and heart rate monitors were purchased with funds allocated in the 2006-07 school budget, according to the press release.

Pupils will have access to the equipment in their health and physical education classes. The youngsters will be taught the importance of physical exercise and how it affects their heart and body in a positive way.

The PTAs and PTOs are also promoting physical fitness.

On Sept. 28 the Marlboro Middle School PTO hosted a walk-a-thon as its major fundraiser for the year. Students completed 30 laps around the soccer fields.

The Marlboro Memorial Middle School PTA is planning to hold a similar walk-a-thon fundraiser in the near future.