Students from the Spencer Borden Elementary School on President Avenue were invited to join a Healthy Kids Klub  by principal Michael Ward and Parent Teacher Organization members Heather Borges, Pam Lebeau and Kara Magoni. Over eighty students then walked the half-mile to the school along with parent volunteers on March 2, 2011. Students will be invited to do this three days a week until the end of the school year. Students who cannot make the walk will be invited to do 100 jumping jacks during recess periods. "I'm so excited," said organizer Heather Borges. "Eighty people signed up and 20 volunteered to help, so this is a great turn-out!" she added. Students will walk on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. In the event of inclement weather, a flag will be placed at the former Highland School building the school so parents will know to bring them to Spencer Borden instead. Catherine King, Mass Rides outreach coordinator who oversees the Safe-Routes-To-School program for Southeastern Massachusetts was on hand for the event. The Fall River School District was the second entire school system to sign onto the program; the New Bedford School District was the first. Research has demonstrated that new learning takes place more efficiently when it takes place following physical activity that promotes the growth of new neural connections. To see photos of the rally that kicked-off the event, click here. Click here for the video of the event. For more information about the program, contact School Wellness Coordinator Marcia Picard.

(Top row, left) event organizer Heather Borges, herself a personal trainer and motivated mother of a Spencer Borden student, signs students up for the Healthy Kids Klub walk at the Highland Avenue School grounds. (Top row, center) Parent organizer Kara Magoni signs up second-grader Madeline Gray in the Healthy Kids Klub. (Top row, right) Parent volunteer Colleen Kublin answers a question of one of the eighty children who showed up for the event. (Middle row, left) First grade teacher Arlene Dumont leads the first students out of the Highland School parking lot to head down Stanley Street to the Spencer Borden Schoo. (Middle row, center and right) Kindergarten students Nevaeh Booker and Lexi Borges carry the Healthy Kids Klub sign as Mayor Will Flanagan joins them on the walk. (Bottom row, left) Fall River School Committee member Joseph Martins walks with students. (Bottom row, center and right) Spencer Borden principal Michael Ward greets parent organizer Heather Borges as the group crosses Chestnut Street in front of the Spencer Borden School.

Return to the Partners Home Page