This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
Nearly everyone in America has struggled with fitness, weight and staying healthy. So how can we teach our students to be fit and make good choice? By doing it!
Obesity has been linked to poorer academic performance, especially in girls, diabetes, high blood pressure and self esteem.
If you have a steep mountain to climb, it is best to be in shape.
Our students have proven to be motivated since with our limited equipment and facilities (our fitness gym is a classroom with furniture pushed against the walls). One 8th grade group who participated in fitness improved at least 20% in 6 months. But we have room to improve even more.
Two years ago, a student nurse study of our students determined over 1/3 were overweight. Our students sometimes feel like school is an uphill journey, a struggle since poverty (66% qualify for free and reduced lunches), being behind academically (17% receive academic and behavioral services) and Housing (many reside in the city's 3 low socioeconomic urban housing communities) block their paths to success. Our two largest feeder elementary schools have an even higher poverty percentage. On top of that, many cannot afford to belong to a recreation center or have transportation. School fitness may be their only hope or chance for long life.
My Project
Regular physical activity in childhood and adolescence improves strength and endurance, helps build healthy bones and muscles, helps control weight, reduces anxiety and stress, and increases self-esteem.
Obesity robs 1/3 of all American children of their health, shortens their life span and their productivity as an adult.
With additional equipment, wait time is turned into activity time. Students participate rather than watch.
The following items would help our students:
Dumbbells- strength training
Dyna Bands- strength and endurance training
Exercise Ball- flexibility and core training
Step 360- cardiovascular training
As one of our partners, you could help our children be more fit, healthy, able to learn and live well not only now but also as adults.
Research shows children and adolescents who are obese are likely to be obese as adults and have the associated health problems including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer and osteoarthritis.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Johnson and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.