SAN ANTONIO -- Ten schools in San Antonio are trying something new to promote health and wellness. It’s a pilot program called Better Choices for Better Health.
At Castle Hill Elementary School Tuesday, October 12, 2010, the cafeteria was the site for a pep rally unlike any other. A percussion group called Drumming by Nina taught the children, not reading, writing and ‘rithmetic, but rhythm.
The North East Independent School District (NEISD) is teaming up with HEB to launch Better Choices for Better Health. It’s a year-long initiative to get the next generation moving and thinking about what they eat.
Former San Antonio Spurs player Bruce Bowen says making exercise fun works. “As the schools, parents and HEB and the partners that are involved continue to stress this, then we’ll see the kids picking it up and teaching other kids because it becomes contagious,” Bowen said.
“I got a kick out of it,” he added. “And the faces that I saw, they were enjoying themselves as well.”
“I thought it was really exciting,” commented 10-year-old Cierrah Garza, a 5th grader at Castle Hills. “We need to get exercise and we don’t want to be lazy, just sitting around.”
“Some kids are lazy,” observed 10-year-old Alex Wong, also a 5th grade student. “When they get home from school, they sit on the couch and watch TV.”
All of the schools the feed Lee H.S. are involved in the Better Choices pilot. The list includes Castle Hills, Colonial Hills, Dellview, Jackson-Keller, Olmos, Ridgeview, and West Avenue elementary schools; Nimitz and Jackson middle schools, and Lee High School.
The NEISD superintendent is excited about it. “Diet and wellness are critical to school attendance, school behavior, school learning,” stated Dr. Richard Middleton. “This really shows people that we mean what we say.”
Each child at Castle Hills went home from school with a pledge form. They sign their name and promise to make healthier food choices and be physically active.
