69°F
weather icon Windy

King kids walk toward success

It has been said that a person’s success can be measured by the strides he or she takes.

The kids at King Elementary School have taken that phrase to heart.

Each morning Sara Fisher, the physical education teacher at King, meets the kids and several parents on the grassy field behind the school to walk laps.

Each child has a punch card and, as they pass by Fisher or one of several helpers, they can get a punch along the edge of the card. Each walker receives a punch per lap; with 60 punches the card represents 10 miles. The cards are printed on brightly colored paper and and each one literally represents a milestone in the number of laps a child walks or jogs. The cards also contain facts that the kids can learn for various programs like The Great American or Nevada Citizen.

“Statistics show that children who exercise before school and get moving have noticeably higher test scores,” Fisher said.

In the days before school buses and parent drop offs, children were accustomed to walking to school and home afterwards. They got this same exercise without thinking about it. With modern society and technology who knew we were doing our kids a disservice by giving them a ride to school.

Fisher and her cadre of volunteers, teachers and parents have brought that exercise movement back to the beginning of the day.

Her Jogging and Walking Stars club, or J.A.W.S. as it is more commonly called, takes place from 7:50 to 8:10 each morning. Naturally, a shark serves as the group’s mascot.

“Some of our kids have reached more than 100 miles, at least five I can think of right off the top of my head, and more than 30 have received their 50-mile charms,” Fisher added.

The “charms” are simple plastic numbers, about 1-inch square and are the pride of the walking groups. The students cheer each other on and push parents to come along as well. The charms are proudly displayed on sneakers or backpacks and the competition to get more charms is fierce among some of the students.

Jayden Thackery was King’s first 100 miler, with mom Tara right beside him and cheering him on.

Other schools are picking up on the idea and groups can be seen all over town getting their miles in before class.

One dad, Jeff Alexander, explained that the morning walks with his daughter Kaitlin are the only exercise he really gets during the day and it also gives them an opportunity for some quality father-daughter time.

“We talk about homework and what’s going on in the family, or whatever is on our minds,” he said.

There is a movement in Boulder City and the kids are leading the way.

Fisher always welcomes more walkers and keeps a huge bag of charms nearby. So if you want to get motivated in the mornings before school, put on your walking shoes and join in the fun.

Contact Andy Saylor at andyhali@msn.com.

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
Andrew Mitchell Elementary goes beyond 7 Habits

As a Leader In Me School, Mitchell Elementary frequently refers to the 7 Habits. As a matter of fact, each day at our morning ceremony, students and staff recite our mission statement, which refers specifically to the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

LMNRA has deep roots in Boulder City

We at Lake Mead National Recreation Area are constantly amazed and grateful for the support from the Boulder City community. We also strive to provide great service to the people of this great town.

Local business funds memorial bench at King

For over a year, the staff at Martha P. King has been working with the Giamanco family to create a memorial bench for their little girl, Emilee.

A river runs through it

To say that Kathleen Wood knows the portion of the Colorado River between Hoover Dam and Willow Beach like the back of her hand is definitely an understatement.

All for a good cause

For decades, the Injured Police Officer’s Fund has been there to help provide support to Southern Nevada officers in their time of need.

For Mills, it’s been a wild ride

In the 35 years since he got on his first BMX bike, Ryan Mills has seen his fair share of tail ships, crankflips and nac nacs.

March comes in like a lion

This past weekend, while completing my March Home Matters, I was interrupted by a CRASH, BOOM from the backyard.

Synergistic strategies emphasized at Mitchell Elementary School

For those of you who have read my monthly contribution to this column, you can tell by now that I am thrilled to be the principal of a Lighthouse School because of the empowerment that the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People provides to us in our classrooms and our community.

Pali Camp scholarships for King Elementary students

For the last decade, the Boulder City Chapter of the Republican Women’s organization has been donating to Martha P. King Elementary School.