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Overview of Focus on Fitness at Park Brook
Overview of Focus on Fitness at Park Brook
Park Brook Elementary is focused on fitness for two specific reasons: it is good for physical health and research indicates that increasing fitness increases academic growth.
Students at Park Brook Elementary can participate in the following fitness activities:
Brain Boost: Each morning each class participates in a Brain Boost to prepare students for learning. Throughout the day classes have Brain Boosts to increase academic learning and keep students ready for learning. Instead of calling them brain breaks, we call the Brain Boosts because we are not taking a break, but rather energizing our brains for learning. This is not about getting the ‘wiggles’ out, but rather about preparing the brain for learning.
Morning Move: This is a before-school fun-filled exercise program to get students moving before academic instruction. This program will be held in both the fall and the spring, with the first session beginning in October.
Boot Camp: Boot Camp is held three times during the school year. The Fall and Spring Boot Camps are focused on preparing the students to run in the Twin Cities 5K and a Fun Run, respectively. The Winter Boot Camp is on snow shoes and will end with a trip to Lake of the Isles to participate in The Loppet Foundation events held in early February. The culminating activities are not requirements to participate in the Boot Camps; a number of students choose to only participate in the Boot Camp.
Cross-Country Skiing: During the Winter months leading up to the Minne-Loppet and Luminary Loppet students in grades 3, 4 and 5 will learn how to cross-country ski during physical education classes. The Loppet Foundation provides a coach to support this learning opportunity. The Loppet Foundation supports the cross-country program at Park Brook, as well as other opportunities for students at Park Brook.
Wellness Committee: This is a committee consisting of 4th and 5th grade students, staff and parents. Please contact the school if you would like to serve on the committee. The purpose of this committee is to ensure we have parent and student voice included as we move our Focus on Fitness initiative forward.
Double Dutch: Students in grades 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th will have the opportunity to try-out for the Double Dutch Team. The Double Dutch team practices twice-a-week and then performs at various schools across the Twin Cities as the kick-off assembly for the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart Fundraising Campaign.
Focus on Fitness Field Trips: Throughout the year various field trips will be offered either after school or on weekend. These field trips are possible with the generous support of Twin Cities in Motion, Emma B. Howe YMCA in Coon Rapids, CycleHealth, and The Loppet Foundation.
Girls on the Run: Girls on the Run is an after-school program held in the Fall and in the Spring, and during both seasons, meets twice-a-week for approximately ten weeks. This program is for girls in grades 3, 4 and 5. GOTR concludes with a 5K in the Fall and Spring, and during both seasons running is a part of the program, however, leadership and character education is a substantial part of this program. Girls on the Run is a part of Girls on the Run Twin Cities.
Focus on Fitness Air-pop Popcorn Popper
Thanks to a grant from Fuel Up to Play 60 and a substantial discount from Cretor Corporation, Park Brook is the only school in the Osseo Area Schools to have a hot-air popcorn popper which is used for a number of events.
Focus on Fitness Seats
Stability Seats: In a number of classes stability balls are used as seats. Research indicates that using core muscles during instruction helps students to focus during instruction.
Hokki Stools: Thanks to a generous grant from Allina Health Care, Hokki Stools are used in both kindergarten classrooms as a means to increase movement and focus during the school day.
Kore Stools: Thanks to another generous grant from Allina Health Care, Kore Stools (stools that provide movement and are adjustable in height) are used for reading tables and other areas in the building.
Fitness Stations
The fitness stations located on the east side of the school are for student use when school is in session. The community is welcome and encouraged to use the stations at all other times. The stations are designed for sit-ups, push-ups, back extensions, dips, and so on. The bars are not designed nor is it safe to do flips on these pieces of equipment.
Fitness Studio
The Fitness Studio is designed for students who need additional, regularly scheduled breaks in order to assist with focus in the classroom. Students follow a routine of cardio work, age-appropriate heavy lifting, and then calming activities. The studio contains treadmills, weight machines, spin cycles, NordicTrack machines.
Thanks to a grant from the American Heart Association, two new cardio machines were added to the Fitness Studio in December of 2020.
Mrs. Otto’s Classroom
Thanks to a generous grant from Dan Bastien, founder of Boom Chicka Pop Popcorn, Mrs. Otto’s fifth-grade classroom is equipped with a variety of kinesthetic seating options, to increase fitness and focus.
Focus on Fitness
Focus on Fitness
Focus on Fitness at Park Brook Elementary is based upon research. Below you will find different articles and videos that explain why Park Brook Elementary has a Focus on Fitness initiative.
Focus on Fitness at Park Brook Elementary is based upon research. Below you will find different articles and videos that explain why Park Brook Elementary has a Focus on Fitness initiative.
Push-Ups and Heart Health
Push-Ups and Heart Health
Students at Park Brook are assessed on their fitness scores. This article discusses the relationship between push-ups and heart disease. While the research is based upon men in their 30’s and 40’s, one could look at the fitness levels earlier in life, that set the stage for an individual to be able to do 40 push-ups. Above 40 push-ups the probability of a heart related issue in the next 10 years is greatly reduced; under 10 push-ups when in your 30’s and 40’s, and the probability is greatly increased.
Students at Park Brook are assessed on their fitness scores. This article discusses the relationship between push-ups and heart disease. While the research is based upon men in their 30’s and 40’s, one could look at the fitness levels earlier in life, that set the stage for an individual to be able to do 40 push-ups. Above 40 push-ups the probability of a heart related issue in the next 10 years is greatly reduced; under 10 push-ups when in your 30’s and 40’s, and the probability is greatly increased.
We encourage students to practice 10 push-ups and 10 sit-ups every day at home.
We encourage students to practice 10 push-ups and 10 sit-ups every day at home.
Distance Learning and Physical Fitness
Distance Learning and Physical Fitness
Physical education is essential to increase academic growth, not only when in the physical school building, but also during the days when we are responding to the pandemic.
Physical education is essential to increase academic growth, not only when in the physical school building, but also during the days when we are responding to the pandemic.
1st Grade Boys & Reading
1st Grade Boys & Reading
The link is to an article about the benefits of movement for first-grade boys....the more they move, the better they do in reading in 2nd and 3rd grades.
The link is to an article about the benefits of movement for first-grade boys....the more they move, the better they do in reading in 2nd and 3rd grades.
American Heart Association Recommendations
American Heart Association Recommendations
The American Heart Association has provided Park Brook Elementary with a generous grant to upgrade our Fitness Studio.
The Double Dutch Team at Park Brook Elementary, which travels to kick-off the Jump Rope for Heart Fundraising Campaign for the American Heart Association, is sponsored by the American Heart Association.
Kinesthetic Seating
Kinesthetic Seating
Stability balls, Kore Stools, and Hokki Stools are used instead of traditional chairs at Park Brook Elementary. Some research indicates about a 10% increase in brain activity while sitting on a stability seat. This article by Amy Occhipinti discusses four benefits of sitting on a stability ball.
Academics & Fitness
Academics & Fitness
Focus on Fitness—Academics: Park Brook Elementary approaches education differently than many schools with the Focus on Fitness initiative. The purpose is to increase academic growth and positive behaviors. Sarah Messiah, Ph.D., MPH, is a research associate professor of pediatrics and co-director of the Division of Community-Based Research and Training at the Mailman Center for Child Development at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, wrote this article for the Miami Herald discussing physical activity and academic growth.
Focus on Fitness—Academics: Park Brook Elementary approaches education differently than many schools with the Focus on Fitness initiative. The purpose is to increase academic growth and positive behaviors. Sarah Messiah, Ph.D., MPH, is a research associate professor of pediatrics and co-director of the Division of Community-Based Research and Training at the Mailman Center for Child Development at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, wrote this article for the Miami Herald discussing physical activity and academic growth.
ADHD Information
ADHD Information
ADHD and Exercise! This article, with links to other articles regarding ADHD, highlights the importance of exercise for those with ADHD. Exercise benefits all individuals by increasing our ability to focus, learn, and so on, in addition, for those with ADHD exercise is essential to assist them with focusing and regulating their bodies.
ADHD and Exercise! This article, with links to other articles regarding ADHD, highlights the importance of exercise for those with ADHD. Exercise benefits all individuals by increasing our ability to focus, learn, and so on, in addition, for those with ADHD exercise is essential to assist them with focusing and regulating their bodies.
Exercise, sleep and ADHD: Whether or not your child has ADHD, the information in this article can benefit any child.
Exercise, sleep and ADHD: Whether or not your child has ADHD, the information in this article can benefit any child.
ADHD and Screen Time: Screen time, according to this article in ADDitude Magazine indicates that an increase in screen time can increase they symptoms of ADHD.
Cold Weather Workouts!
Cold Weather Workouts!
Movement in the Classroom:
Movement in the Classroom:
Why Kids Shouldn’t Sit Still in Class, a recent article in the New York Times highlights the need for students to move and be physically active. One of the key researchers quoted in the articles states, ““Daily physical activity is an opportunity for the average school to become a high-performing school.”
Why Kids Shouldn’t Sit Still in Class, a recent article in the New York Times highlights the need for students to move and be physically active. One of the key researchers quoted in the articles states, ““Daily physical activity is an opportunity for the average school to become a high-performing school.”
Move over, 'sit still'! Why kids need to move in school This article/video highlights a school in Alexandria, Virginia.
Move over, 'sit still'! Why kids need to move in school This article/video highlights a school in Alexandria, Virginia.
Exercise and Leadership: At the end of each year, each 5th grade class plants a tree, and one of the symbols of the trees for Park Brook is that the trees help create a more beautiful community, and in the same way, wherever life’s journey takes Park Brook Students, their lives should make their communities a better place.
Exercise and Leadership: At the end of each year, each 5th grade class plants a tree, and one of the symbols of the trees for Park Brook is that the trees help create a more beautiful community, and in the same way, wherever life’s journey takes Park Brook Students, their lives should make their communities a better place.
Brain Rules by Dr. John Medina
Brain Rules by Dr. John Medina
Two short videos are below that help summarize the work by Dr. Medina. A number of staff members at Park Brook have read his book.
Two short videos are below that help summarize the work by Dr. Medina. A number of staff members at Park Brook have read his book.
When you walk through Park Brook you will notice the stability balls, Hokki Stools and students moving in classrooms. The brain research is why we offer Morning Move, Boot Camps and other fitness opportunities for students.
When you walk through Park Brook you will notice the stability balls, Hokki Stools and students moving in classrooms. The brain research is why we offer Morning Move, Boot Camps and other fitness opportunities for students.
Teens and Depression
Teens and Depression
Research indicates that increasing exercise (movement) is important for teens to assist with depression. Please click here to read more information regarding teens and depression. While this article focuses on teens, the findings can be applied to other age groups as well.
Research indicates that increasing exercise (movement) is important for teens to assist with depression. Please click here to read more information regarding teens and depression. While this article focuses on teens, the findings can be applied to other age groups as well.
Stress/Mood and Exercise
Stress/Mood and Exercise
Exercise is one way to manage stress. Click below to read more information on ways to reduce stress through exercise.
Exercise is one way to manage stress. Click below to read more information on ways to reduce stress through exercise.
Sleep Recommendations
Sleep Recommendations
The graphs below show that the more fitness tests (sit-ups, push-ups, mile run,...) a student passes, the higher probability of being proficient in math and reading. For example, in 5th grade, the group of students who pass only one fitness test, 29% are proficient in reading; while the group of students who pass six fitness tests, 55% are proficientin reading.
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