The Fargo School District is helping students attack childhood obesity.
The district's physical education department has received a $25,000 grant from the Dakota Medical Foundation to train teachers and purchase equipment to help fourth-graders develop a philosophy of lifetime fitness.
Starting in January, the district's sports-based curriculum will be enhanced with more fitness education, said Lois Mauch, physical education specialist for the district.
Games and activities will focus on the five major components of physical fitness - flexibility, muscle strength, endurance, cardiovascular health and body composition.
For example, when students study body composition they may participate in an activity for seven minutes. Then they will put on a backpack weighing 30 pounds and play the same activity to feel what it would be like to be heavier.
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Fourth-graders were targeted for the pilot program because that's the age many students go home instead of attending day care, Mauch said. As a result, the students stay inside instead of being active outside, she said.
After the pilot program, the district will track the fourth-graders lifestyles for the next five years, Mauch said.
Summer program
Youth Educational Services is offering summer school courses to Clay County students in ninth through 12th grades.
A variety of courses will be offered to meet students' needs.
Youth Educational Services is an independent-study-based alternative program. It is approved by the state of Minnesota and accredited by North Central Accreditation.
For more information, call (218) 233-0924 or go to www.yes.k12.mn.us
Clean poster winner
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Thomas Shulstad, a second-grader from Fargo, recently placed first in his category in the annual Keep North Dakota Clean state poster contest.
The contest considers a student's knowledge about keeping the state clean, recycling, making use of other energy and conserving.
All winners received a cash award, medallion, copy of their poster and a certificate. The first-place winners will have their posters made into a billboard.
Named to choir
Fertile-Beltrami junior Kayla Hovland has been named to the Minnesota All-State Lutheran Choir.
Hovland is one of about 50 high school singers chosen from around the state.
The choir - the summer youth program of Exultate, a Twin Cities-based chamber choir and orchestra - will perform a variety of music during a June tour.
The tour includes stops at 7:30 p.m. June 18 in Faith Lutheran church in Bagley and 10:30 a.m. June 19 in Little Norway Lutheran Church in Fertile.
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In the band
Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton junior Heath Marvel has been selected for the Minnesota Music Educators Association All-State Symphonic Band.
Marvel, a percussionist, will be among 90 band members. He will attend a week-long camp in August in St. Cloud.
Forum reporters Jonathan Knutson can be reached at jknutson@forumcomm.com and Erin Froslie at efroslie@forumcomm.com .
