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Area schools named finalists in Governors Challenge
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Stanislaus County finalists in 2010 Governor’s Challenge

·         Agnes M. Baptist in Modesto

·         Denair Middle in Denair

·         El Vista Elementary in Modesto

·         Fairview Elementary in Modesto

·         George Eisenhut Elementary in Modesto

·         Great Valley Academy in Modesto

·         Hart Ransom Elementary in Modesto

·         Hickman Elementary in Hickman

·         Hickman Middle in Hickman

·         Orestimba High in Newman

·         Osborn Elementary in Turlock

·         Stanislaus County Special Education School (JFK) in Modesto

·         Tuolumne Elementary in Modesto

·         Walter M. Brown Elementary in Turlock

·         Waterford Middle in Waterford

 

* Information provided by the Governor’s Council

Taking full advantage of intramural sports is one of the activities that has put Osborn and Brown elementary schools on the list of Stanislaus County finalists for the Governor’s Challenge for Fit for the Future.

“We are excited,” said Ed Ewing, principal at Osborn Elementary. “Being physically active is directly related to thinking clearly and learning and that is our mission as a school.”

Out of 127 schools in Stanislaus County, Denair Middle School, Hickman Elementary School, Hickman Middle School, Osborn Elementary, and Brown Elementary were among 15 total schools that were selected as finalists.

To be named as a finalist, the school must participate in the Governor’s Challenge that focuses on being active 30 to 60 minutes a day for at least three days a week for a month.

Statewide, more than 1.3 million people participated in the Governor’s Challenge logging more than 11 million days of physical activity, according a release by the Governor’s Council.

Osborn’s student, parent and teacher commitment helped put them on the finalists list in hopes of winning a brand new fitness center valued at $100,000 or $5,000 to buy new physical activity equipment.

One-hundred percent of their students logged enough physical fitness to meet the Governor’s Challenge through intramural sports during recess or lunch and their individual commitments, Ewing said. They also have their own school garden club to educate students on healthy eating.

The Osborn track is also occupied every morning by students and parents getting in their 30 minute exercise or kicking the ball around on the soccer field.

Brown’s successful finalist title is due to their focus on physical education instruction every single day, said Jeff Persons, principal at Brown Elementary.

Students from every grade participate in P.E. instruction five days a week logging 100 percent of Brown students who have met the required physical fitness for 30 to 60 minutes a day, Persons said.

They also have an annual field day that has been going on for the past 20 years where students can participate in track and field events, he said. Intramural sports are also very popular with the upper-grade students during lunch time.

“Our school prides itself on having these activities,” Persons said. “We are excited to be a part of it (the Governor’s Challenge).”

Award-winning schools will be announced at a special ceremony at the State Capitol in September.

To contact Maegan Martens, e-mail mmartens@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2015.