St. Patrick’s Interparrish School is a fine example of how the Morning Mile is bringing communities together every morning to get fit. On Friday, February 1st the University of Florida’s ROTC members joined St. Patrick’s students and their parents for the Morning Mile. Despite below average temperatures, this hearty group got up early to get fit while having fun. [...]

  The sounds of running, laughing, chattering, huffing, and puffing fill the air each morning around St. Patrick’s Interparish School. Thanks to the Morning Mile, every day before the school day starts, kids of all ages empty onto the huge field to burn off energy and have some fun. Parents come, too, to sit and watch from the sideline or [...]

The following email just arrived from Cedarwood School- “We started the Morning Mile last week and it has become an instant hit! We have kids in every grade starting with our 3 year-olds all the way through our 7th graders. Many of our parents and grandparents are taking the opportunity to run with their kids. It’s been a wonderful experience [...]

These GREAT PARENTS are committed to raising healthy and fit children. See what they have to say about the Morning Mile. Super fun sidebar: Dad number #1 in our feature is Drew Copeland from the rock band Sister Hazel!

If ever anyone knew the benefits of running, it’s Carl Lewis. One of the most decorated Olympic athletes EVER, Carl Lewis turned in one of the greatest track and field performances at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, winning gold medals in the 100m, 200m, Long Jump & the 4x100m relay. His winning streak continued at the 1988 Olympics [...]

I wanted you to know that each year we award the Presidential Fitness Awards to our students who master all of the Physical Education goals.  This is a national assessment.  At Poinciana we usually have approximately 80 students who receive this award – last year we had 88.  This year we had 168 students receive it!  The only difference we [...]

  Click here to check out this beautiful two page feature in Conch Color magazine in the Florida Keys!

Check out this fabulous feature in Florida Today online on the sensational success story earned by 21 schools in Brevard County, Florida. It’s a good one! Morning Mile program encourages health, fun. The video below was also pulled from that article. MELBOURNE— Six-year-old Cristian Tapia ran a mile Thursday morning — and then proudly held up five coffee stirrers representing [...]

As a Psychologist, I know of the numerous positive mental health benefits that occur from physical activity. Regular exercise has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. In children physical activity increases concentration, memory, and academic performance and reduces symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD) and the need for medication for ADD/ADHD. Exercise has also been shown to [...]

As a pediatric health care professional, I see the growing problem of childhood obesity, due in large part to sedentary lifestyles among students. Safe, fun group exercise is a healthy way to encourage movement and physical fitness in this age group, with such benefits as obesity control and encouraging a life-long love of fitness and physical activity. Mrs. Koehlers’ “Morning [...]