"Get Moving, Manchester" helps kids learn healthy habits

For the 16th year, schools are participating in Get Moving, Manchester to encourage students to establish and maintain healthy lifestyle choices. The voluntary program for children in grades three through six focuses on nutrition and physical activity now through April 14.

Students use a Get Moving, Manchester log to keep track of eating, exercise, and screen time based on 5-2-1-0 goals.  Following 5-2-1-0 guidelines means:

• eating 5 fruits and vegetables a day
• spending 2 hours or less on the computer, watching TV, playing video games, or texting
• getting at least 1 hour of physical activity a day
• drinking 0 sugar-based beverages.

“We know that healthy bodies in school are as important as healthy minds,” said Manchester School District Superintendent Bolgen Vargas. “This a great way to help our children learn exercise and eating habits that will serve them well through life.”

Highland-Goffe's Falls Elementary School
was last year's Get Moving, Manchester winner for
grades 3-5.

Participating Get Moving, Manchester students will have a chance to win prizes when they complete their weekly logs. Those prizes include Palace Theatre tickets, Fisher Cats tickets, Spare Time Bowling coupons, and gift cards from Sky Zone and Indian Head Athletics. The students who participate all four weeks are eligible to win a grand prize raffle.

In addition to those businesses which provided generous donations, Get Moving, Manchester also is sponsored by Catholic Medical Center and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Manchester.

At the end of the four weeks, Mayor Ted Gatsas and Dr. Vargas will present trophies to the elementary and middle schools with the highest rates of participation.

“We’re grateful to our community partners that make Get Moving, Manchester possible,” said Mayor Gatsas. “I hope all of our eligible students and their families take the opportunity to participate. I’m looking forward to congratulating our students on their healthy accomplishments.’

McLaughlin Middle School and Highland-Goffe’s Falls Elementary School were the 2016 Get Moving, Manchester winners.