School #1 Gets Fort Lee Fit

Over 60 students, parents, teachers and staff braved the wind and rain Tuesday night to participate in a School #1 PTA event to teach proper fitness and nutrition.  Certified personal trainer, David Glantz, instructed the participants in eating properly before workouts, warming up, physical activity, cool down and stretching.  Mr. Glantz, who has been a personal trainer for 6 years, said “It’s important for children to exercise now, to get them into healthy habits that will last a lifetime.”  He also stated that a child does not have to just compete in competitive athletics for exercise; going on hikes, long walks and jogs provide excellent physical activity.

Mr. Glantz said, “Elementary school children should engage in at least 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity at least 3 days a week.”

School #1 Physical Education teacher, Greg Tavoularis, a/k/a Mr. T, said this event was a great opportunity to educate parents and students of the importance of eating healthy and being fit, ideally starting at a young age.”  Mt. T said that physical fitness is not only good for the body, “but that several studies have shown that regular exercise improves study habits, academic success and self-esteem.”  Also present was Kindergarten teacher Karen Simone-Osso who said events like this are good education tools to teach children how much exercise you need to stay healthy along with a balanced diet. On hand was School #1 Principal Kristine Cecere, who said, “This event was a great success.”

Many of the participants learned new exercises and stretches that they could do at home as well as the gym. School #1 Nurse Rose Cuccaro said that with juvenile obesity on the rise, it is more important than ever for parents to get their children involved with physical activity, as well as setting a good example themselves.  Many parents were on hand and broke a sweat. Emma Diaz, parent of three School #1 students said, “The event was fun and at the same time educated the kids to exercise properly.”  Her husband, Ralph Diaz, added, “I got the opportunity to exercise and be with my family.”  Another School #1 parent, Zulay Mattia, said that she “tries to get her son to exercise and what better way to do it than with his friends and mom.”  And parent Olga Rempel said, “The kids had a lot of fun and the trainer was great.”

Because of the great turnout and success of the event, School #1 PTA may plan similar events in the future. 

If you have questions on childhood fitness, Trainer David Glantz can be contacted at dglantz@nj.rr.com.