Comment on Saltillo Elementary works toward wellness

By Emma Crawford Daily Journal SALTILLO – Saltillo Elementary School is working toward wellness with the help of a Project Fit America grant and plans for a fitness center for its teachers. The $26,000 grant, which was approved by the Lee County School Board at Tuesday’s meeting, will provide fitness equipment for students and materials to assist physical education teachers in incorporating fitness into the students’ everyday lives. Along with the equipment, teachers will be provided with curriculum materials and training. The Project Fit grant is just one part of a larger focus on wellness that principal Belinda McKinion hopes to bring to the elementary school for both students and teachers. McKinion said she also has looked into getting alternative vending machines so students will have healthier snack options at school. With the help of Saltillo Elementary secretary Dianne Ludt, McKinion has written a proposal for a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield to turn a fieldhouse on the school’s property into a fitness center for teachers. The fieldhouse is currently used for storage. McKinion said the idea came to her in the winter as she noticed teachers were especially stressed with changes in testing and standards. “The mandates from the state department were tougher than ever before, and we were exhausted,” McKinion said. She said several groups of teachers started participating in programs like Weight Watchers and CrossFit, as well as going walking and doing boot camps. While some school districts offer discounted rates at fitness centers and gyms to their employees, Lee County Schools does not currently have such a program in place. “I thought that would be so awesome if we had something like that for our teachers because it is an extremely stressful job,” McKinion said. The grant proposal currently awaits approval. emma.crawford@journalinc.com Twitter: @emcatcrawford