Keith Valley Students Get a Healthy Treat for Fitness Achievement

Keith Valley Middle School had a special healthy treat for students who were fitness achievers this semester in Physical Education class April 3. The top 25 female and male students in each 6th through 8th grade class received a certificate for a free smoothie at BRYN & DANE'S healthy “fast food” restaurant.

“I had this idea to offer students a reward for achieving in the top 25 of their class in each gender,” teacher Brian Thompson said. “Students often earn rewards in class and it encourages them to do better. However, I didn’t want to do a reward that defeated the purpose of being a fitness achiever, which is how I came to BRYN & DANE'S. It promotes healthy eating.”

In order to become a fitness achiever, students have to be in the top 25 of their class and gender after completing the push up and sit up tests and the mile run. These students are the top 150 achievers in Physical Education out of the 1,200 students at the middle school.

“These students recognize the benefits of being healthy with eating well and exercising often,” Thompson said. “Statistically, students who practice a healthy lifestyle are sick less and perform better in school. Additionally, looking long-term, people who eat well and exercise typically don’t have as many health issues as they grow older.”