THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 18, 1994 TAG: 9412160229
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HOLLY WESTER, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 95 lines
FITNESS IS CONTAGIOUS and no one knows that better than physical education teacher Curt Breland.
Since Breland started the Walking and Jogging Club at Rosemont Forest Elementary School, he has seen a steady increase in participation. Currently, more than 150 first- through fifth-graders, nearly a quarter of the school population, participate in this after-school fitness program three days a week.
Breland, a fitness fanatic, couldn't ask for more. ``They're expending energy, burning calories and improving their fitness,'' he said. ``It's a pretty active time for them.''
Since October, the students have had to walk, jog or run one mile each meeting to be eligible to play the game or activity scheduled for the day. Some of these include basketball, dodgeball, football, soccer and volleyball.
``We want them to see that fitness can be fun,'' Breland added. Four teacher assistants, including Cheryl Morin, Eula Coston, Denise Dallatore and Keith Thornton, as well as guidance counselor Amy Larsen, help Breland do just that.
When it rains, the students walk seven laps around the school or do exercises, such as step aerobics, in the gym. Breland keeps a chart for students to track their miles. ``It's the distance, not the speed, that matters,'' he said.
During the meetings, students work on leg strength, as well as endurance. Many are working to improve their scores on the Presidential Physical Fitness Test.
``We've been in the city's top five for the past five years,'' Breland said. ``I think the club has something to do with that.''
Fifth-grader Brandon Coleman, 10, said he saw the advantages of the club during last year's test. ``I had to run the mile,'' he said. ``It helped me a lot with that.''
Besides the physical activities, the students also enjoy occasional guest speakers, such as dietitians and nurses, who come in to talk about nutrition and fitness.
The club members go on at least one field trip a year to Mount Trashmore or Princess Anne Park and celebrate their accomplishments with an end-of-the-year picnic where top students receive trophies and T-shirts.
Breland decided to implement this program during his first year of teaching because he saw a ``significant number of students who were not leading healthy lives,'' he said. ``I wanted to get them out there and get them involved.
``I've always been real active in running,'' he added. ``This is just an extension of that.''
After a couple of years, Breland realized he was not meeting that objective with the Walking and Jogging Club, as it was not attracting the target students. He then added another program and began attracting more children who needed help with their motor skills and fitness.
The popularity of the program is largely based on word-of-mouth advertising by the students. ``A lot of the students come out because we play games,'' he said. ``Whatever the reason, I don't care, as long as they come out. If we can just get them oriented . . . that's an accomplishment.''
Some students, such as fifth-grader Kenny Lash, 11, were encouraged by their parents to join. Kenny has been in the club since its first year.
``My mom wanted me to start coming because I was too skinny,'' he said. ``On the first day, everybody was nervous because they thought it would be boring. It turned out to be really good.''
Kenny's goal is to be able to run the mile faster and ``to have better health,'' he said.
To facilitate goals like this at home, Breland gives the students fitness handouts and keeps them updated on area weekend races. Before summer break, he gives them a list of activities to do with their parents and siblings during vacation.
``I encourage them to share what they learn with their families,'' he said. ``If there's not a healthy lifestyle at home, the purpose is defeated. It's not effective without parental support.''
Ultimately, Breland hopes this club will make students more aware of physical fitness and hooked on healthy habits.
``The habits they develop at this age will stick with them for the rest of their lives,'' Breland said. ``If you don't intervene at the earliest age possible, you're not going to have any success.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photos by HOLLY WESTER
Fifth-grader Kenny Lash, 11, works out on the rope, while
third-grader Victoria Akins, 8, does step aerobics. Both have been
in the program since first grade. ``My mom wanted me to start coming
because I was too skinny,'' Lash said. ``On the first day, everybody
was nervous because they thought it would be boring. It turned out
to be really good.''
Fifth-grader Brandon Coleman, 10, does stretching exercises with
physical education teacher Brut Breland, who started the Walking and
Jogging Club.
by CNB