The 2014 Greater Fall River Fitness Challenge  issued a challenge to physical education teachers in area schools to create some type of fitness activity that went beyond their routine planned curriculum and carry out that activity from the end of January through May. Over 7,300 participants in the school portion of this year Fitness Challenge came from a total of 15 elementary, middle and high schools from Fall River, Somerset, Swansea and Westport. Activities included before school walking and exercise programs, recess monitored-mile walks, wall sits carried out prior to the start of physical education classes and even a dance program where students learned and practiced a wide variety of line dances which would eventually be replicated at their school's spring prom. Sponsored by Greater Fall River Re-creation, Partners for a Healthier Community, Saint Anne's Hospital, Southcoast Hospitals, the Challenge offers low cost opportunities for those who live, work or attend school in the Greater Fall River Area. For more information about the School Challenge, contact School Wellness Coordinator Marcia Picard at 774-319-0107. (Submitted photos)

(Top row) Students at Somerset Middle School engage in jumping jacks both inside and outside after writing on a school window the words "Stop. Drop the Pencils and Jump Challenge". (Row two, left and right) Grade four students from Silvia School in Fall River pose for a photo along with runner Abby Long. (Row two, center, three center and row four) Students in the Westport Elementary School practiced a number of "wall sits" to strengthen their leg muscles prior to the start of their physical education classes. (Row three, left and right) Students from the Somerset North Elementary School participate in a before school walking club. (Bottom row) Students from the Resiliency Preparatory School practice some deep knee bends while students from the Stone Therapeutic Middle School do some modified crunches and side bends.