Lee Elementary Students Get Fit Before Hitting the Books

This just in from Erica Anstey, a parent and PTA Wellness Chair at Lee Elementary School of Technology and World Studies:

Lee Elementary School of Technology and World Studies just started a Morning Mile program where the kids are running every morning before school. This is a great way to help fight obesity in children and establish healthy habits that will help prevent future obesity as well.

Students will complete as many laps as they are comfortable with between 7:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. Each day, the number of laps completed that morning will be recorded and transferred to an accumulating database. Sixteen laps equals one mile.

When the student reaches a total of five miles, he or she will receive a necklace chain with one colorful sneaker charm. They will continue to receive one sneaker charm for each five miles completed.

Students will also receive a number “100” charm for every 100 miles they complete.

Parents are also encouraged to participate.

Do you think programs like this should be implemented in other Tampa Bay schools? Tell us in the comments.