INDIANAPOLIS -
One of the First Lady's big initiatives to fight childhood obesity is taking hold in Pike Township.
Last year, Pike Township Schools were awarded a nearly $2 million federal grant to help get students moving.
Students at Pike Township elementary schools aren't just learning to add and read. Sprouting right outside the back door are lessons in wellness.
Last year students planted their own vegetable gardens as part of a comprehensive plan to fight youth obesity. Even the youngest learners are excited.
"I found a big one right here hiding!" yelled out a kindergartner who spotted a large green tomato.
"Ooooh," exclaimed another student, getting in on the find.
Pike Township Athletic and Wellness Director James Perkins explained why the district is digging into the program.
"With Indiana being number 8 in the nation [for obesity] and obviously in all schools we're seeing kids continuing to grow in the area of obesity and overweight students," he explained.
The garden is a page right of First Lady Michelle Obama's fitness playbook.
"As Michelle Obama began developing the 'Let's Move Program,' and the issue of obesity and overweight became a crisis, we in Pike Township decided we needed to do something," he added.
The garden is just a small part of a $1.7 million federal grant awarded to Pike last year to get moving.
The district is one of only 66 nationwide selected, and the only district in Indiana to get the funding.
There are also climbing walls and new 200 meter fitness paths mapped out on the playground, that are also open for community use after school hours.
"A healthy well kid is certainly going to be a better academic student," Perkins believes.
At the high school, a new state of the art fitness center is now open. An open house will be held for the facility August 30th. All three of the district's middle schools will get similar workout rooms later this year.
Perkins says the entire physical education curriculum is also under revision.
"We have done an awful lot of things we think the government and Michelle Obama especially would be very very proud at how we used the funds. We'd love to have her come anytime. We'd be ready for that," he said with a chuckle.
With an open invitation extended to the First Lady, Perkins says there's also one to parents; to get involved to help make fitness a lifestyle change at home too.
In its first year, Pike also hired both a fitness and nutrition expert for the district, and is partnering with St. Vincent Hospital to provide wellness check-ups.
The district is now gearing up to kick off its Million Mile Walk October 1st.
All students will be trying to walk 10,000 steps a day to get 60-minutes of activity. The steps from all of its schools are tallied up and as they did last year. The total was well over a million steps towards fitness.
Students are learning about healthy eating by growing their own vegetables.
Last year, Pike Township Schools were awarded a nearly $2 million federal grant to help get students moving.
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