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That’s because two years ago, the 8-year-old joined Garfield Elementary School’s Track Stars program.
Since then, he’s walked and run enough laps to equal three marathons. The third-grader probably will hit his 100th mile later this year.
“It’s fun and it’s great for your body,” Tran said.
The Track Stars program is an all-school fitness program launched four years ago, according to Garfield Principal Bob Hodges.
Students set goals and track their progress to earn incentives such as recognition at school assemblies, certificates and plastic necklace charms donated by the school’s PTA.
And it’s a program that could save lives. More than one-third of children and adolescents in the United States are overweight or obese, putting them at risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other serious health issues, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“This program is about keeping kids healthy, giving them something to work toward – tricking them into exercising,” said Garfield PTA president Nikki Spaulding.
The program was created by former Garfield parents Jeff and Linda Kleingartner and their son, Thomas, who had learned about a similar program at McLane Elementary School.
Since then, Track Stars has been adopted at several other Olympia elementary schools.
Garfield students have logged more than 5,500 miles.
“I think it’s fun and it’s awesome because you can run a bunch of laps,” said 8-year-old Alexis McNeil. “It’s making us stronger and stronger.”
In addition to increasing kids’ aerobic activity, Track Stars has lowered the number of conflicts during morning recess, the principal said. “We almost have no referrals to the office,” he said.
And once recess is over, teachers report that students have an easier time focusing on academic tasks, Hodges said. The program also has introduced many new volunteers to the school.
“It brings the community in,” Hodges said.
Spaulding said the program helped her older son get in shape.
“When he started the program, he could basically run around the track once,” she said. “It definitely helped his stamina, and it kind of made him love running.”
Lisa Pemberton: 360-754-5433
lpemberton@theolympian.com
theolympian.com/edblog
