Don't forget the FIT KIDS BILL in 2009!!!!

I've been writting to Congress and the new Obama administration this morning about the FIT KIDS bill... Something I put BACK on my New Years Resolution list to ensure it's not forgotten in 2009.


The FIT Kids Act includes amendments to the No Child Left Behind Act that do the following:

• Provide information to parents and the public by requiring all schools, districts and states to report on students’ physical activity. In Title I Report Cards, adds elements that report on schools’ physical education programs and students’ physical activity. These measures include:
• Amount of time spent in required physical education as measured against the recommended national standard;
• Percentage of local educational agencies in the state that have a required age appropriate physical education curriculum;
• Percentage of elementary and secondary school physical education teachers who are state licensed or certified;
• Percentage of schools that have a School Health Council that meets monthly to promote a healthy school environment;
• Amount of physical space in each district that is used primarily for physical education and activity.
  Ensure that children get the support they need throughout their educational
  experience.
• Support professional development for teachers and principals to promote children’s healthy lifestyles and physical activity.
• Fund study to examine the impact of health and physical activity on student
  achievement and find effective ways to improve healthy living and physical activity for all children.

Here's links to get involved yourself in your state, etc. I encourage ALL married women, especially mothers to take up this issue and FIX was was originally broke for our children's health by the original No Child Left Behind act. ;-)

American Heart Association: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3010851
Bill S.2173 Easy to read description: http://member.aahperd.org/advocacy/ldc_2008/FIT_descriptionS.pdf
Richard Simmons is Motivated: http://www.richardsimmons.com/j15/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=249&Itemid=99999

Dear Secretary of Education-Elect Arne Duncan,

On behalf of our nation's children, parents, and teachers, I, Mrs. Illinois United States 2008, am joining with Richard Simmons in respectfully asking that you help ensure that quality physical education is available for every American child. Specifically, I ask that you help include the FIT Kids Act (H.R. 3257 / S. 2173) in the eauthorization of No Child Left Behind.

Every child deserves to be fit, healthy, and ready to learn, especially in these difficult times. Please join the bipartisan coalition that is supporting this extremely important legislation in the 111th Congress.

Through my past year of work with U-46 in Elgin, IL… I can testify that our present generation of children may not live as long as their parents due to obesity and inactivity. We have our own 5th grade son who struggles with morbid obesity and diabetes and PE only 1 day per week for 30 minutes.

You have the power to prevent and change this. I urge you today to take our children’s health future into consideration as well as fixing the flawed “testing and rewards” program with No Child Left Behind n 2009.

Sincerely,

Laurie Faith Gibson-Aiello
Mrs. Illinois United States 2008
http://mrsillinois2008.blogspot.com/