Jefferson Elementary To Get $6,000 Physical Fitness Award

Principal Ruben Aurelio will accept $6,000 Thursday on behalf of students who won an award from the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.

The Council selected Jefferson as the Bay Area Regional Award Winner in a physical fitness and nutrition competition during the 2010-2011 school-year.

Council Executive Director Kenny Rogers said all 624 Jefferson students successfully completed the Governor’s Challenge of being active at least 30 minutes a day at least 3 days a week for a month.

Together the school’s students recorded a remarkable 7,488 days of physical activity, he said.

Jefferson’s support of good nutrition was highlighted through its school garden and by a students performance of “Best of Me,” a play that emphasizes the importance of drinking water, eating healthy foods and playing a lot.

Rogers will present the school with a $5,000 check for physical fitness equipment and a $1,000 gift card for school supplies at CVS/pharmacy.

CVS/pharmacy is the sponsor of the Governor’s Challenge Regional Awards.

The challenge is designed to combat an obesity epidemic among young Californians by establishing early habits of physical activity.

Research has shown that even small amounts of physical activity can improve health and help prevent a wide range of health problems.