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"As Maine Goes So Goes the Nation" was once a popular political slogan during elections. The third graders of Martel School would like to be leaders in encouraging students and staff to lead more active lives by example. "How did this desire to lead a healthier lifestyle begin?" As in many events in schools, change comes when a new policy is enacted. At the beginning of the 2005-2006 school year a new policy was issued, there was an article in the local newspaper, and some grumbling about how this was going to pinch classroom funds, club events, and field trips. The Lewiston School Board banned the sale of candy, juice, soda, and "junk food" in local schools. At first students saw this new policy as a disaster. The food sales, specifically vending machines, and candy sales had become the main method for supplying sport equipment, field trips, and after school clubs and various school projects. Students were wondering why this policy decision was made, who made this decision, and they wondered how they would earn enough money for their yearly field trip to the Washburn-Norland Living History Museum in Livermore, Maine. Moaning and groaning about the policy was not going to accomplish anything. So, our class began by reading the newspaper article about the school board decision to ban sweets from the local schools. We learned many facts about the childhood diseases that are linked to childhood obesity. We learned about how serious these diseases were. We began to realize that this was not a bad policy. It was for our own good. Now, funding field trips did not seem as important as our health. Our class decided to make some lifestyle changes at school. We ate healthier snacks at morning snack break. We very quietly walked the long way to the restroom at 10:15AM and 2:00PM breaks. At lunchtime we tried to take a variety of food from the salad bar and not just our favorites. Our class demonstrated simple small changes that all students could make to improve their health. To quote from the CyberFair home page we decided the best way to "… prepare for the future - by thinking about the possible future, the probable future, the preferable future and the preventable future." Childhood obesity has become a recognized problem throughout the nations of the world. Our goal is to help other children take an active role in their health. Martel third graders decided to teach other children how to make better choice in food, play, and exercise. Our class does not want to grow old and sick before we are really, really old. We invite the world to follow us as we get out and move around, learn to eat balanced meals, and laugh more often. The key is moderation (too much of anything is not too good for you) and don't forget, get moving, go out for a walk, a bike ride, or just chase your brother or sister. So are you ready to come walk with us? Just click on our leader to enter our project.
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