Running is not allowed in the Forest Park Elementary School hallways, but walking is.
It starts with a stretch, followed by a half-mile of fast-paced walking and another stretch at the end to make sure all the muscles are not strained.
For the students who participate in the school’s Walking to Peak Performance club, walking is a fun way to see friends before class begins, while improving their health.
Health teacher Debra Varsames, who introduced Forest Park to the walking club concept, said the club is new to the school this year, but she first introduced it to students at Veeder Elementary School two years ago. The program, she said, invites students who signed up to come to school early and take a walk for about 15 minutes, learning about health and exercise and revving up their bodies for the day, every Monday and Wednesday morning before classes begin at 8:45.
The program is optional and was presented to students by their teachers at the beginning of the year.
This is their choice; it’s not something they have to do, said Varsames.
Varsames said the walking club now has more members in the second semester ` currently 14 ` than in the first.
`It gets them going in the morning, right before school, and they’re able to focus better [in class],` said Varsames.
Pamela Moore, the mother of first-grader Patrick Reilly, said the club has been a positive influence on her son.
`I think it’s great for them,` Moore said. `I think the kids really enjoy it, and I think it helps them to focus once they get into the classroom.`
On Monday, April 6, Moore joined her son for the morning walk.
Varsames said parents will often join the kids on their rounds, but in order to walk with the club, students need to arrive to school early, by 8:15 a.m.
Moore said this isn’t a problem for Patrick.
`He bugs me to come early,` said Moore.
To Varsames and many of the parents, the health benefits are the most important part of the club, but to the students, being able to see friends earlier is a motivating factor.
`I heard about it because my friends were doing it,` said Jimmy Towne, a third-grader. He said his favorite part is the stretching, as well as the walking.
He has recruited his brother, Jacob, 9, to walk as well.
`My brother was talking about it so I wanted to come,` said Jacob, who said his favorite part is the jumping jacks the walkers do at the end.
Jacob and Jimmy are not the only siblings to walk in the club.
Second-grader Nicole Knowles, 8, said she joined the club after hearing her brother, Timmy, talk about it.
`My brother was doing it, and he comes home almost every day saying how much fun he was having doing it, and I thought I would do it too,` she said.
Knowles also wanted to join the club because her friend, Kayleigh Degonzage,7, was in the club, although Degonzage is in the club for another reason.
`It gets you more healthier!` she exclaimed.
She said that she has been in the club for `four and a half miles.`
According to Varsames, the group averages about a mile per day.
After each walker has walked two-and-a-half miles (miles are measured by students picking up a stick and carrying it with them each time they have walked a lap) the student gets a charm in the shape of a foot to signify their accomplishment.
Degonzage said that since joining the club, she has begun exercising outside of school as well.
`I do a little bit of running in the backyard,` she said.
Degonzage said that by doing these activities, she knows she is healthy.
For others, being aware of their health is measured in another way.
Eight-year-old Joel Wickert said he knows he is healthy by the amount of sticks he collects each time.
`The most sticks means I’m healthy,` he said.
In addition to the walking club, Varsames said she holds a contest twice a year called Feet, encouraging students to participate in exercise activities with their families and logging the amount of time and activities that are completed. Varsames also said about once a week she encourages students to eat a piece of real fruit ` not gummies or fruit-flavored candy. She calls this Real Fruit Friday.
For information on Walking to Peak Performance, contact Varsames at 869-3006.“