LRSD News
The Little Rock School District Health Services is continuing to promote health and fitness through the “Exercise Breaks in the Classroom” program. These exercise breaks are currently being implemented in the classrooms of Williams Elementary School, where they have received great feedback and interest from teachers. Exercise breaks encourage three to ten minutes of physical activity one to four times a day. These breaks give students the extra opportunity to workout throughout the school week and consist of an instructional DVD including different exercises which the class may choose from and music. These physical activities can be done during transition periods during class, in the hallway during bathroom breaks and as an alternative for outdoor recess on rainy days and are usually lead by a teacher or student.
The exercise breaks are a way to not only promote fitness and well-being but also to increase the focus on academics because the exercise breaks help decrease student distraction in the classroom. Williams Elementary School’s Nurse Kelly states, "These exercise breaks increase brain function and promote focus and positive behavior." A landmark study also noted an improvement in mathematics, 
reading and writing test scores as well as fewer quarrels and better attendance among students.
The program was first introduced and incorporated into Williams Magnet first grade classrooms at the end of January then into kindergarten and second grade classrooms and is in the process of being implemented into the remainder of the classrooms. “My students really enjoy these exercise breaks and look forward to doing them. I have also noticed a difference in my students’ ability to focus and work,” said Ms. Morton, a first grade teacher at Williams Elementary School. Ms. Morton’s students also said that the exercises are a lot of fun and it helps them get their “giggles out.”
Nurse Kelly also mentioned that UAMS also has an exercise break program, which is slightly different from the other program and is currently being piloted in seven classrooms throughout the school as well. Margo Bushmaier, who is the Coordinator of Health Services, and Nurse Kelly both believe that this program is a great way to promote health and fitness and academics all-in-one. Bushmaier also hopes to expand the “Exercise Breaks in the Classroom” program to other schools throughout the Little Rock School District. 
Mabelvale Middle, Mann Magnet, Parkview Magnet, Roberts and Washington Magnet, kicked off their recycling partnership with the City of Little Rock and Goldman Recycling.
At Williams Magnet, the Little Rock Sustainability Commission donated trees to the school to replace some of the ones lost in the spring storms.