Fit Kid Center Opens with a Splash, Spin, and a Jump

Students at Las Positas Elementary School in La Habra, California, now have a new reason to jump for joy. Literally.

Students at Las Positas Elementary School in La Habra, California, now have a new reason to jump for joy. Literally.

A roomful of brand new Spooner Boards® will do that to a kid (as shown in the photo above). That’s what the crowd of 600 kids, parents, teachers, and local officials discovered at the recent grand opening of the school’s Fit Kid Center.

There were plenty of smiles and squeals of laughter as the students practiced balancing on the indoor-outdoor sports boards and tried some new stretches across giant, roly-poly balls. There was also plenty of exercising – and excitement that came just from the pure pleasure of no-prep, gizmo-free activity.

Fit Kid Centers transform empty classrooms, or other underutilized spaces, into fun-packed fitness and nutrition education centers. Teachers can schedule the Center for 30 minute sessions, just like the computer lab or library, and use it without the extensive planning, prep and instruction required by traditional P.E. programs. The Las Positas Fit Kid Center, the 13th in Orange County, has six “Fit Spot” fitness stations set up where small groups of kids can get active.

The La Habra Fit Kid Center is part of the Orange County Department of Education’s Move More Eat Healthy (MMEH) initiative, which is funded by Kaiser Permanente‘s Thriving Schools program. Kaiser Permanente’s $100,000 grant also supports the establishment of Fit Kid Centers at three elementary schools; distribution of self-contained Classroom Fit Kits; and training for 60 teachers and after-school providers in using them. 

“We’re excited to be part of this innovative, in-school activity program,” said Angela Coron, Kaiser Permanente Southern California Community Benefit managing director. It’s a terrific new way to help create a culture of health in school communities, where lifelong wellness habits are formed.”

The students, teachers and staff are even more excited about their cool, new exercise options – which is just as it should be.