More than 300 pupils at Julia Stark Elementary School were kept very busy Tuesday morning as they participated in Stamford's first BEE Healthy "Fitness Buzz." The program for third-, fourth- and fifth-graders is sponsored by GE Asset Management.
"This is a great example of a corporation coming into the school and providing a very valuable educational service for our children," said Stark principal William Johnson.
The acronym stands for Balance for stretching and flexibility, Exercise for endurance and strength and Eat well through a healthy diet and is part of a national health awareness outreach from General Electric.
The students participated in six interactive components, including Hula Hoops, Zumba, jump-roping, yoga, healthy food selection and calisthenics. The activities are intended to teach good healthy life-style choices and habits.
Forty-two GE employees in bright yellow bumble bee T-shirts guided the students through their paces.
"We have as much fun as the kids do," said Danette Melchionne, a GE community relations coordinator and one of the leaders of the program at Stark.
Johnson added, "It's so important that this program is fun and exciting, but also that it's memorable to these students."
The program has the additional goals of encouraging children to take part in 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day and providing education for parents on healthy living for the whole family.
A GE spokesperson said the company plans to expand the classes into other schools in Stamford and across Connecticut.
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