Fitness is taking priority at Hance Elementary School, as the school unveils a new fitness trail. The fitness trail features several areas including: the Fence Squat, the Balance Walk, Bench Push-Ups, the Lift Off and the Dinosaur Walk.

The fitness trail was designed thanks to the hard work of members of the Hance Wellness committee.  Certified school nurse Terry Lea Wentz and physical education teachers John Fotta and Matt Hugus spent time working on the layout of the signs, and art teacher Kerry Boyd designed the graphics. On April 1, 2008, custodian Harry Daniels displayed the signs outside.

The physical education staff will now educate the Hance Elementary student population regarding the purpose of the trail and how it can enhance their fitness program in the coming weeks.

“The hope is that students who are looking for a little more of a challenge will use their recess time in a more structured way thus promoting an increase in their strength, agility, balance & endurance,” Wentz said.

The Hance Wellness Committee hopes the fitness trail will promote healthy habits among students and challenging them to increase strength, agility, balance & endurance.

Hance has implemented other healthy programs including the PaceSetter Program, which has been put in place thanks to the Healthy High Mark grant. Some of the objectives of the PaceSetter program include promoting nutritional awareness, family education and expanding the mileage club. The mileage club, which was expanded this year to include third grade along with fourth and fifth grades, was kicked off through a grant from the Pine-Richland Opportunities Fund and kicked off again April 1, 2008. The program allows students to participate in a walking trail during recess.