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Light Rain Seaford students get in step
Seaford elementary school students spend a lot of time in the classroom exercising their minds, but on Oct. 24, they took some time out to exercise their bodies, as well. The annual Autumn Classic was held at the high school track, which taught students about the importance of physical fitness.
Children from both the Manor and Harbor schools took part in the event, which is a fall tradition in the school district. This year’s Classic was postponed a day because of rain, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of students or staff.
The 19th annual event was organized by district phys. ed. teachers. Dianne Dunn, who teachers at the Manor School, said the Autumn Classic is culmination of a weeks-long fitness unit. During that time, children learned various activities that they can do at home to keep their bodies healthy. Some exercises they were taught included jump rope, step aerobics, strength training and plyometrics — jump training which has muscles exert maximum force in short time intervals.
Dunn explained that by teaching students these fitness techniques, along with proper nutrition, the hope is that they will take it upon themselves to lead healthy lifestyles. “Kids need to learn skills that will allow them to enjoy life for a long time,” she said.
“It’s promoting good habits and routines for a lifetime,” added phys. ed. teacher Mike Spreckles.
Each grade had its own 45-minute time slot at the track, with peers from Manor and Harbor coming together. Children were allowed to walk or jog, and encouraged to go at their own pace. Their families were also invited to attend.
Each grade at the Manor School was given different colored T-shirts with the slogan “Character Counts,” and the student body gathered to form a human rainbow outside before the exercise portion of the Classic began. Harbor students were clad in different colored T-shirts bearing the school’s name.
Suzanne Mooney, a phys. ed. teacher at Harbor, said it was good to see everyone out enjoying themselves. “It’s a lot of fun,” she said, “and it promotes everything that we do.”
