Ann Arbor Open
January 31, 2008
Dear Ann Arbor Open Parents:
Have you heard that an exciting new program called Project Healthy Schools has arrived at Ann Arbor Open? Already a success at the five middle schools in Ann Arbor and introduced this year in Ypsilanti, this program, especially designed for sixth graders, provides your child with the opportunity to learn about healthy eating and physical activity through a series of fun, interactive and educational modules during his/her science period. Your children are already tracking their exercise minutes and recording healthy fruits, vegetables and beverages consumed at lunch. There are 10 activities that are taught to the 5th and 6th grade class weekly. I am teaching Ko and Rick’s class on Tuesday morning and Jennifer Merte, an intern at MFit is teaching Mike and Leslie’s class on Thursday morning. Our activities focus on decreasing fast and fatty food, sugary beverages, and time spent in front of a screen. We will also emphasize the importance of physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption and have added a lesson on advertising and portion control. This program comes at an important time when childhood obesity, diabetes and heart disease are on the rise in our children. School lunch programs are being evaluated and fast food chains are now scrutinized for their contribution to obesity. Project Healthy Schools, a community - University collaborative, attempts to educate our children toward making healthier choices in 5th and 6th grade and for a lifetime.
We look forward to bringing two exciting Physical Education assemblies to the 5th and 6th graders. One will demonstrate yoga and Pilates moves and the other emphasizes strength training with the use of elastic bands, loops, and stability and medicine balls. In each assembly, students are divided into small groups and rotate through stations where they can practice their newly acquired skills.
We look forward to working with Ko, Rick, Mike and Leslie and of course your children. They are incredibly knowledgeable in the area of nutrition and are quite engaged in every lesson. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the curriculum or program.
In good health!
Susan Aaronson, MS, RD
Wellness Coordinator
Project Healthy Schools
MFit Community Health Promotion
734-975-3032
susaaaro@umich.edu
