New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
A good idea leads to principal being named a ‘champion’
SEYMOUR — Students at Bungay School are getting fit while learning their ABCs and 1, 2, 3s.
That’s thanks in part to a $10,000 Katharine Matthies grant that Assistant Principal Lauren Reid secured earlier this year. With the money, 10 classrooms in grades K-5 were outfitted with kinesthetic furniture, including standing desks, stability balls, wobble chairs, foot rockers, pedal desks, under-desk cycles and kneel-n-spin desks.
Reid was recently named “Champion of the Year” by Griffin Hospital’s Valley Initiative to Advance Health and Learning in Schools, or VITAHLS, program, for her efforts.
VITAHLS, which also donated $1,500 to Bungay, was established in 2011 as a partnership between the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, Griffin Hospital and Valley schools in Ansonia, Derby, Seymour and Shelton. The aim is to promote a healthy lifestyle to students in grades PreK-12, their families and school staff, with a focus on nutrition and physical activity.
School Principal Mary Sue Feige said Reid worked closely with VITAHLS to secure the funding to incorporate the innovative furniture into the classrooms. Feige said both teachers and students have reported nothing but positive comments about having the new gear on board.
“Recognizing how kinesthetic equipment has a positive impact on students’ attentiveness, behavior, academic performance and attendance, Lauren sent home information about the value of kinesthetic equipment to parents,” Feige said. “Results from this special initiative have brought many positive feedback and positive health changes from both teachers and students.”
Reid recently updated the school board on how the furniture’s been working out, saying students in K-2 “really enjoy the wobble
stools, and the older kids like the pedals.” She added the furniture really “helps the kids get their wiggles out.”
Feige, in a press release, shared some student comments.
“I think it helps when I’m
writing, it helps me think, and if you’re stressed out, it kind of helps relieve it,” one student said.
Another student said “It makes you focus more, in my opinion if you’re active, like pedaling, you’re focused on your work. It makes me kind of want to come to school more!”
“One of the positive things
and why it should be in other classes, it would help with kids who have ADD or get distracted – it kind of keeps you focused like in writing. If you need to lose some energy it helps,” added another student.
Superintendent of Schools Michael Wilson lauded Reid on her award.
“Lauren’s dedication and passion for education are second to none,” Wilson said. “Improving our students’ health and wellness are at the forefront of any educator and Mrs. Reid has taken that to the next level in terms of her involvement with VITHALS. The kinesthetic furniture provides all students the opportunity to learn in an environment that is more comfortable to them. When
students are more comfortable within the classroom, their learning improves.”
Kim Doughty, VITAHLS coordinator, said Reid was very deserving of the award.
“Lauren not only took a good idea and made it reality but went above and beyond to ensure that it was implemented and evaluated effectively,” Doughty said. “Lauren was instrumental in obtaining funding, getting teachers at the school on board with the idea, and securing approval from the Board of Education. I have just been so impressed with her efforts and was very pleased to be able to acknowledge them with this award.”