LIONS OF
outh Fayette
SOUTH FAYETTE TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
In January, South Fayette Elementary School was chosen for the fourth time to be a part of The Giant Eagle Kids of STEEL, a running program through Dick’ s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon. KOS is an exercise and nutrition program developed to promote and encourage healthy lifestyle habits in young children. Children in grades K-5 were eligible to run.
Over the course of 18 weeks, students who participated ran approximately 25.2 miles. On May 2, 2016, the KOS ran their last mile together in the Toyota of Pittsburgh Kids Marathon. There were about 300 South Fayette students who participated in the program. During their training, the students and their coaches ran once a week prior to the beginning of the school day. The coaches offered cardio stations such as burpees, squat jumps, planks and wall squats. They ran for at least 10-15 minutes per session.
50 South Fayette
As the weather improved, they were able to run outside on the elementary playground.
The Giant Eagle Kids of STEEL Physical Education Grant awarded $ 1,000 to five different schools that had more than 50 participants. South Fayette Intermediate was chosen as one of the five schools. We are looking forward to choosing some new equipment for the Kids of STEEL program for all of the runners to enjoy.
To encourage healthy eating habits, KOS participants were encouraged to taste and study different kinds of fruits and vegetables. The children also logged their own activity time. Besides running at school, 20 minutes of other activities such as hockey, soccer, dance or tennis counted as one mile. As a group, it is estimated that we ran over 5,000 miles in 18 weeks. Way to go, LIONS OF STEEL!!!!
Thank you to Mrs. Rebecca Colangelo and Mrs. Angela Johnson, seasoned runners themselves, for being the site coordinators. Their time and dedication to running clearly showed on race day.
Without the help and support of our running coaches, parents, administration, and our young emerging runners, this program would not have been successful. The smiles on the runners’ faces as they crossed the finish line were priceless. The sense of accomplishment and our South Fayette pride were apparent through the streets of Pittsburgh and at the finish line. One parent described it as a“ Sea of Green.”
It is our hope to continue to bring programs to South Fayette that will promote and foster the idea of living a life of health and fitness. Additionally, running qualifies as a life sport, one in which athletes are likely to maintain over their life spans. It is important for children to cultivate a healthy lifestyle at an early age to obtain the goal of lifelong fitness.
Written by Second Grade Teacher, and Kids of Steel Coordinator, Rebecca Colangelo.