Howell Road School students are staying in shape. Children in grades 1-3 participate in a program called Activity Works, which allows them to exercise in the classroom, yet not take a break from their studies.

The program started last year as a pilot with the North Shore-LIJ health system. Howell Road was one of only six schools selected to participate in the program, Principal Frank Huplosky said. It has since grown and youngsters at the James A. Dever School also participate this year.

Several times each week, students will watch an interactive video which promotes both physical education and academic learning. Children can take a virtual journey through the rain forest, visit various historical sites in the United States, go on a space adventure or play in a band. Among the exercises students do on their “journeys” are climbing, stretching, jumping and running.

Nancy Faccio, a second-grade teacher at Howell Road School, said there are videos for just about every subject area. When it’s a student’s birthday, they get to choose their journey of the day.

Faccio said that she has students participate in Activity Works at least three or four times a week, especially on days when there is no physical education class.

“The best part, I think, is they get to move around,” Faccio said, “especially in the winter when it’s too cold to out for recess.”

Second-grader Marcus McDowell said he tries to exercise at home on a regular basis. He said he does 10 push-ups every morning, afternoon and evening. In school, he enjoys the chance to exercise in class. His favorite Activity Works video was when he got to take a virtual trip to the Olympics and do exercises just like olympians do.

Kristina Dormeus said that it is important to exercise every day, “so yo can keep your body healthy and your heart healthy.”

She, too, said she works out regularly at home, using a treadmill and lifting dumb bells. Kristina said she also takes dance and ballet lessons.

Huplosky said he hopes the Activity Works program encourages all children to make exercise a part of their daily routine. He is encouraged by how well it has been received by the students and teachers at Howell Road. “They’ve really embraced the program and continue to be motivated by it,” he said. “Overall it’s been extraordinarily successful.”