Two Buffalo Public schools are in a 'healthy competition' and it's all about fitness. WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley says students at West Hertel Elementary demonstrated new fit activity kits that are 'fitbits for kids'.
More than 200-5th graders at West Hertel School Number 94 were charged. They're among a first round of students in the nation to receive NERF ENERGY Game kits.
Hasbro and UnitedHealthCare are teaming up for a nationwide initiative encouraging children to be more active. They appeared at West Hertel Wednsday as students tried out the fit kits.
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“New York ranks 33rd, with 32.4-percent of children who are overweight or obese. All of you here today play an important role in helping make a positive difference,” Rupert Brady said in his opening remarks to the Hertel audience.
Rupert Brady is an upstate director at UnitedHealthCare. The game kits will monitor and reward students for being physically active. Buffalo's Interim associate schools superintendent Dr. Eric Rosser said s this helps the district work toward a healthy kids goal.
“As we all know in education, that there is a direct correlation between the health of a student and their academic potential,” Dr. Rosser added.
College athletes from Buffalo State will assist the elementary students to engage them in healthy activities, track work and results. Students demonstrated an obstacle course as part of the demonstration.
Loom Soe demonstrated the fit program. When asked about the program and how it helps, she said, “You can help the Earth, you can do a lot of stuff when you’re always active and everything.”
West Hertel will be competing against Herman Badillo Bilingual Academy Number 76 for the rest of this school year. The West Hertel Owls say they're ready for some fierce fitness competition. The NERF Kits will work to track the activity of the kids at both schools each week.