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5-2-1-0 Goes to School
January 2009 Featured School
Governor John Fairfield School, Saco Maine
The Fairfield school community is very excited about the addition of snowshoes. Thanks to a mini-grant from Coastal Healthy Communities Coalition, a program of the University of New England’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fairfield was able to purchase 19 pairs of snowshoes for students to use, increasing physical activity during the winter months. Students had a fantastic time walking on about 3 feet of snow, on their first day out on January 23rd. It was a new winter experience for the majority of students. The students laughed and smiled, and were surprised that they could get so much exercise in such a fun way.
Fairfield school is using the 5-2-1-0 philosophy of using physical activity as a reward instead of food, which is gaining much popularity among the staff. “Snowshoeing is another wonderful reward that we can offer the children,” said Karen Mackenzie, 5210 School Champion. “This snowshoeing project will help students enjoy physical activity in a beautiful outdoor environment during what is usually considered a harsh season for outdoor activity. The students can't wait to go again.”
Fairfield also has a school wide breakfast program. Each child is offered a healthy breakfast every morning which includes: milk, fruit, grain and protein. The breakfast program has benefited Fairfield by producing less tardiness, less absenteeism, less trips to the nurse's office, better behavior, and better academic achievement. Fairfield staff have welcomed the program as a nice addition to the school routine. Best of all the children and parents appreciate and enjoy this morning meal in school.