| Students leap into learning at Lenoir City Elementary
with PowerUp Fitness The school adopted the PowerUp program. It is a local fitness organization that combines exercise with class curriculum and has now spread to five different states.
LENOIR CITY, Tenn. — If
you ever see Lenoir City Elementary Schools students leaping into
the building, just know there is a method behind the movement.
"I want them to exercise so we do this kindergarten
through 3rd grade," kindergarten teacher Leigh Wiley said.
She is talking about the PowerUp Fitness program, a
Knoxville-grown exercise program that aligns physical activity with
whatever students are learning in the classroom.
Lenoir City Elementary is a reward school in Loudon
County and a PowerUp partner.
"It's so special to see the positive influence this
program is having on students." PowerUp CEO and founder Stacey
Baugues said.
She launched the organization in 2012 after realizing
one important point.
"Physical activity is strongly correlated with
physical performance," she said.
The
program is now in five different states nationwide, and Baugues said
teachers are seeing some results.
"Students are more engaged in classroom, discussion,
and they're even going to the nurse less often," she added.
According to a new state report, math
and reading proficiency hovers above 30% across the state. For this
reason Baugues said more and more schools are moving out of the
traditional classroom. "Physical activity is so important with
student achievement," she said.
It is a trend she believes may
offer a leap in achievement disparities nationwide.
"The more ways that we can
apply learning through a variety of different environments the
better kids are going to perform and develop their experience with
learning and education," she said.
PowerUp schools do receive
training. You can find more information on how to become one on its website.
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10/30/19