Students get new exercise gear

Triangle, Va. –– Students at Triangle Elementary School on Thursday got a lesson in fitness, eating healthy and how to have fun.

A personal trainer from Sport and Health Clubs in Dale City was brought in to work out with second, third and fourth graders in a high-energy dance routine. They also received goodies from the gym, such as their own water bottles, and t-shirts and coloring playbooks from the Washington Redskins Charitable Organization.

The event was part of Virginia Healthy Youth Day, a statewide celebration to urge children to get active and eat more nutritious foods.

Physical Education Teacher Marjorie Lathers got a $500 grant that help to facilitate the event at the elementary school.

“I love that youth fitness day is in January, because it’s one thing to get outdoors and get active when it’s warm outside but it’s just as important to stay active when it’s cold,” said Lathers.

All of her 50 or so students participated in fitness day, and used some of the new exercise equipment and mats purchased with the grant. They even got free water bottles and healthy snacks.

Lathers says it wasn’t hard to get everyone on board to participate in the fun day, and it’s something she would do again next year.

“Oh yes, we want to participate in this because physical education plays a very important role at this school,” she said.

Triangle Elementary School reopened in a new building in January 2010.

More than 670 students attend school there, including children in the head start program all the way up to fifth grade