Lorne Park Public School gets "Moving" in May

A month long fitness experience encouraging students, teachers and parents to get active each and every day.

Special event May 4^th - Guest Elfi Schlegel

MISSISSAUGA, ON, May 3, 2012 /CNW/ - This May, Lorne Park Public School in Mississauga will try to address the growing problem of childhood inactivity by launching a month-long fitness initiative/fundraiser -Move It May. Their hope is to increase awareness around the need for change and to help all stakeholders -children, parents and teachers -actually feel the effects of a higher level of activity. The ʻOlympic-themedʼ program will include whole school fitness sessions, teacher/parent lunchtime workouts, special guest presentations and at-home exercises designed by members of the community, all while raising funds for the school.

According to Statistics Canada only 7% of Canadian children and youth are meeting the new Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines of at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day. Equally alarming is the fact that childhood obesity in Canada has tripled over the past three decades.

The teachers of Lorne Park Public School are also 'stepping up to the challenge'. They will track their activity by wearing pedometers for the entire month. The launch will take place on May 4th at 9:00am at the school, with an Opening Ceremony featuring well known Canadian gymnast Elfi Schlegel, co-owner of Schlegelʼs Gymnastic Centre and NBC Commentator at this year's London Olympics. During the month of May, the children will collect pledges based on the number of minutes of daily exercise they perform. The month-long event will conclude with a fantastic Play Day and a Closing Ceremony. A portion of the funds raised will be donated to the Jays Care Foundation, an organization that provides access to programs that support physical activity, education and life skill development to children and youth in need.

Elfi Schlegel, Canadian gymnast and co-owner of Schlegel's Gymnastic Centre (www.schlegelsgym.com), "Move it May is a wonderful event that will instill and promote healthy habits for children and remind them that being active is a way of life. Just as it is important to learn to read and write, it is equally important for children to learn physical literacy towards becoming lifelong active participants. At my recreational gym, we have a similar goal - send children out the door with more confidence and self-esteem in accomplishing something good for their health!"

"We know that childhood obesity is a global problem and it needs to be addressed. We have a very committed group of parents who have come up with a wonderful, fun program to engage families in fitness. We are all looking forward to a marvelous Move It May!" Michael Bartalos, Principal, Lorne Park Public School

Leslie Gould and Christine Scott, co-organizers of the initiative are mothers of students at Lorne Park and are both strong believers in the importance of being active and fit for a lifetime. It is their hope that not only does this event raise awareness, but that it will create an environment where school/community spirit are part of the motivation for everyone to become more physically active.

Lorne Park Public School, is a Kindergarten to Grade 5 elementary school located at 1325 Indian Rd. in Mississauga.

Media Contact: Michael Bartalos, Principal, Lorne Park Public School, 905-278-8771, [email protected].
Christine Scott, Co-organizer and Parent Volunteer, 416-727-1830, [email protected].