Schools

Berkmar Middle Snags $100K for Fitness

The Lilburn school will soon have a new state-of-the-art fitness center

Berkmar Middle School is one of only three schools in the state awarded this week with $100,000 in exercise equipment, including a state-of-the-art fitness center.

The National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils awarded the grants, as part of the National Champion Schools campaign.

The winning schools were chosen because they demonstrate new and innovative ways to promote health and wellness for students. The fitness centers will be dedicated at a special ceremony in the fall.

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To read the full press release on the Georgia awards, click here.

Patch caught up with Dana Griffith, a physical education teacher at Berkmar Middle School to get her take on the recent award.

Find out what's happening in Lilburn-Mountain Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Question and Answer:

Patch: What was your initial reaction to learning you all were being awarded with such a grand prize?

Griffith: My initial reaction was being extremely excited for the students and our school and community, and being very excited for the school year to begin and start planning and implementing all these new initiatives that we're going to be able to do, which is rare at the beginning of June to be anxiously waiting for the new school year to start. It's definitely an exciting summer. I can't wait for school to start.

Patch: What programs at the school do you think are the most innovative and helped the school to stand out?

Griffith: I think one of the huge things is that we've always had a fitness-based focus in our program. Our intramural activities that we do include a running club; a fitness club; a fit family club, where we encourage family members to come in and be active with the students. So, it's a very wellness-based approach, which is unique, and we have enormous support from our administration at our school, and from the county office... I think that's really what has helped us ultimately?

Patch: We are in a time when schools are cutting back on recess and physical eduation. How has that bothered you?

Griffith: Unfortunately, the national trend is still cutting back on time for physical activity during the school day. And, it's heart-breaking that... we look at the rise in childhood obesity, diabetes, heart disease seen in young kids, and at the same time school is the only place kids go to on a daily basis. So, if we really want to make behavior change occur, that's our front line. And, it's irresponsible for educators not to take that serious. Fortunately at our school, we do.

Patch: Why has fitness been important to you? Who helped instill that in you?

Griffith: I was really lucky that I always had great P.E. teachers. If I look at all my teachers, and I had to pick one who truly shaped who I am today, it was my middle school P.E. teacher. It kind of lends itself to the fact that I've dedicated my work career to being a middle school P.E. teacher... Having that positive experience my self helped tremendously, and my parents helped really instill the importance of fitness and health-related behaviors.

Patch: One final thought?

Griffith: I just think working with kids today, and how they're not always getting that, it  really makes me want to do anything and everything that I possibly can to be sure that they're learning (about fitness.)


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