Working out should be seen as a privilege, not a punishment.
This is the thought process behind Fit Frosties, a before-school program dedicated to keeping kids active at Robert Frost Elementary School.
Physical education teacher Eric Indiciani has spearheaded the effort to maintain or improve students’ health since the club’s inception in 2013.
“We do everything here – our workouts and motivation – in a positive light,” Indiciani says. “Many people were taught that running was a punishment, so there’s this negative connotation. It’s the same with push-ups, but working out isn’t bad. If you can turn running into something enjoyable, you’re going to have a healthier lifestyle.”
Each Thursday, the elementary school gym is full of about 120 students from first through fifth grades. Starting with a warm-up at 8 a.m., Indiciani helps kick-start the children’s days.
“The kids check in and then we start a dynamic warm-up,” he says. “I’ll give some sort of words of encouragement and, if it’s nice outside, we’re out there. Running is something you can do very easily. You don’t need any other equipment or other people.”
Given the fickle nature of Ohio weather, the program has a backup plan should rain, snow or ice prohibit outdoor endeavors.
“When the weather is not good, we stay inside, break into small groups and do circuit training,” Indiciani says. “These exercises include agility ladders, body-weight exercises, jump ropes, the use of medicine balls and aerobic steps. Rain or shine, they’re getting their heart rates going.”
Initial funding for equipment, along with heart rate monitors and drawstring bags, came from a $998 grant from the Westerville Education Foundation.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-third of children and adolescents in the U.S. are obese. But at Robert Frost, more than a quarter of the student body is taking steps toward combating this epidemic.
“It blows me away each week,” Indiciani says. “Even when the novelty has worn off, the kids still show up. Even if they can’t run the whole time and they walk it out, at least they’re not in front of the TV, eating Pop Tarts, first thing in the morning.”
Keeping healthy is the main objective of Fit Frosties, but a byproduct of the early morning routine is an increase in attention from students.
In 2012, the CDC also found that more than 13 percent of Ohio children have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which causes trouble focusing and sudden out-of-control behavior. But Robert Frost staffers have found that tendency toward hyperactivity has been lessened somewhat by the morning activity, Indiciani says.
“Last year, before the kids left for class, we gave them an orange sticker that let teachers know they were at Fit Frosties that day and to chart these students’ behavior,” he says. “We wanted to see if their attention was anything atypical, either for better or worse. Now, Fit Frosties is one aspect of whatever is going on in these students’ lives, so it can’t be given all the credit, but many kids were more chill and didn’t need a break to burn off the jitters.”
The program isn’t just for children either. A staff of 34 volunteers – including parents and teachers – participate in the exercises and help guide the students.
One family that has taken full advantage of Fit Frosties, as a time for bonding and getting healthy, is the Howards.
“The boys were able to run a 5K this past year and a 2-mile race,” says Stuart Howard, father of twins Dezmon and Demetrius and daughter Milani. “Even the youngest one, who’s 5, she ran the 2-mile race.”
While some children fight the notion of getting up for school, the Howards have found the opposite with their children.
“Our kids, they hold us accountable,” says Margaret, mother of the family. “They get upset if they think they’re going to be late.”
The added time together has helped the family bond, but also aided in a significant weight loss for Margaret.
“Within the last year, having the kids involved has kept us active,” she says. “Stuart has always been a runner, and it’s even more satisfying for him now, doing it as a family. I’ve lost about 45 pounds in this past year. It’s all about staying motivated and making those little changes to keep healthy and keep moving. I didn’t have anything like Fit Frosties growing up.”
Leaders of the program want it to expand so more students can get involved, and the Spring Dash 5K, slated for April 11, may help accomplish this goal.
“We will be the beneficiary for the run,” Indiciani says. “All the proceeds will go to creating a half-mile walking trail around the lot. It’s going to cost about $32,000, so we’re really pushing for corporate sponsors.”
Fit Frosties has open enrollment for all first- through fifth-graders at Robert Frost. If you would like to get involved, contact Indiciani at IndiciaE@wcsoh.org
Stephan Reed is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at hbealer@cityscenecolumbus.com.
