Did you know…• Children are not playing outside or at school

as much as their parents did. • The prevalence of overweight children and

adolescents has tripled since 1970. • American youth are becoming obese because

they are addicted to TV, video games, texting and fast food.

• These youths will have heart disease when 35-50 years old, resulting in more hospitalizations, medical procedures, medications, missed work days and shortened life expectancy.

November 12, 2009 CNN

Introducing…..Garfield Track Stars

Physical ExerciseRecess Alternative

Positive ReinforcementSelf Esteem Builder

Goal Setting

Perseverance Leadership

FunActivity

GTS-- An exercise programfor our students to keep active and be healthy while earning rewards by walking or running

around the school track towards goals. Participants earn certificates

and running charms…and of course the status of Marathoner.

Schools provide an ideal setting for teaching children and teens to adopt healthy eating and physical activity behaviors.

In October, 126 Garfield Studentsfinished a lap card (=3 miles)

This is 42% of the student body, grades 1-5.

The program continues to have an average of 15 students

complete a lap card a week Together Garfield Students log 50 miles

with their combined mileage.

Garfield Track Stars- program basicsOffered Tuesdays through Fridays First Recess 10:35-10:5590 volunteer shifts / 6 shifts per run dayRun / Walk laps, 1 lap = ¼ mileLaps tracked on cards– each card = 3 miles / 5K

Students set their own personal goals:– Distance to run, or frequency to participate– Identified how they would accomplish their goal

THE 2ND - 5TH GRADERS SAID:6% of students will try to do one lap per GTS day

6% want to do the best they can24% want to run a marathon (26.2 miles) this year

5% want to run 1.5 marathons or more this year

GTS Goal Setting

We love our volunteers!!

Don from the Lions Club

Each GTS run requires:1 Run Coordinator2 Markers3 Cheerleaders

GTS Community Partners• Garfield Track Stars has over 50% of the

volunteer shifts filled by Community Partners

GTS=EXERCISING

WHILE HAVING

FUN,

AND IT’S NOT JUST THE KIDS

The kids love the recognition

GTS has welcomed :•Washington State Patrol

to congratulate the students for speeding across the state

And additional cheerleading from:•Olympia Fire Fighters•Olympia Police •Capital Place Retirement

Capital Place Retirement Bus

We are making GTS more student – centricby offering an afterschool enrichment class For 4th and 5th graders to be on GTS Squad

GTS Squad helps:•Print & assemble certificates•Write thank you notes•Promote GTS•Brainstorm incentives•Make program improvements•OWN the program

Here’s what the students say:“GTS is important because I feel strong and healthy. I also get to help out on GTS.”

“GTS gives me something to do at recess.”

“GTS helps keep kids be healthy and strong and live a long, happy life.”

“GTS helps me train for a sprint triathlon”

“GTS is healthy for me”

“My dad used to run and I thought it would be fun”

Garfield Track Stars

It’s been a fun run, and well worth the effort!

THANK YOU FOR LEARNING ABOUT OUR PROGRAM

Garfield Track Stars

Physical ExerciseRecess Alternative

Positive ReinforcementSelf Esteem Builder

Goal Setting

Perseverance Leadership

FunActivity