2118, 2119, 2120 ,2121. Step by step the count on the pedometer increases.
Teachers and staff members of Region 16 are stepping up the pace to promote better health and fitness with the influence of the region’s new Wellness Committee. The committee is working along with Anthem Blue Cross for this project. Their first initiative is the Walk off Weight event. Teachers and staff across the region formed teams of five and tracked the amount of steps they took each day with pedometers purchased by Anthem Blue Cross, their partners for the project.
Teachers took the long way to the copy center. They paced back and forth in front of the SmartBoard. They took a lap around the parking lot before getting in their cars.
Employees got very creative with their names such as the “Red Hot Chili Steppers,” “Scrambled Legs,” and a group of board members called themselves the “Boardwalkers.” The “Trottin’ 200’s” includes Woodland Regional High School teachers Meghan Hatch, Joelle Kilcourse, Gail Pells, George Meyers, and Jessica Block. Kurt Ogren, principal at Woodland, was a member of team ‘262’ along with security guard Fred Smith, secretary June Rydzik, and Assistant Principals Dana Mulligan, and Brian Fell.
Staff members tracked their progress from May 12 until May 22 at midnight. Each name of those who participated was entered in a raffle and the winner will receive a prize, to be announced.
The Wellness Committee is also looking to host health fairs and health education seminars next school year.
“The goal is to establish a culture of wellness with Region 16 to promote better health for our employees and their families,” said Pamela Mangini, director of finance and business operations in the district.
Approximately two hundred employees agreed to participate and are encouraged to take 10,000 steps a day. Through this challenge, teachers and staff have become more aware of the amount of steps they take. Participants have engaged in healthy competition and each team worked hard to come out on top.
