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 [...]

Morning Mile Parents Day meets the exact definition of QUALITY TIME. We’re so proud of our Morning Milers, the Moms, Dads, Grandparents and teachers for making this day a ton of active fun for the whole Roosevelt Elementary Family. Well done! Roosevelt Elementary’s Morning Mile program is sponsored by Wuesthoff Health System.

Has anyone felt the ground vibrating each morning from 7:45 to 8:15 AM?  Don’t worry, it’s not an earthquake – its approximately 426 Poinciana Elementary School students (grades k-5) walking and running the Morning Mile.  Introduced by and sponsored to the school by the Lower Keys Medical Center,  Coach John Hughes, PE Teacher at Poinciana, loves that the Morning Mile [...]

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 [...]

We are doing the Morning Mile and the students love it.  About 87 students participate right now, and we’re hoping for more. They love the instant recognition and having music to listen to is really fun for them. . Keeping track of the data is very simple and at the end of the year, we’ll be able to print out [...]

It’s no secret that the world wide obesity epidemic continues to grow at an alarming rate.  Even more alarming, though, is the increase in childhood obesity and the major medical issues that accompany this condition.  Diabetes, high blood pressure, and even the beginning stages of coronary artery disease are all on the rise in the pediatric population. The quest for [...]