This year at Robert Frost Middle School in Deer Park, the physical education department is raising the bar on challenging their students to become more physically fit than ever before. The whole school is currently participating in a Fitness for Life unit during their physical education classes, which incorporates different types of exercises that emphasize good health. Exercise bands, stability balls and step aerobics are all being utilized in rotating groups of sixth and seventh graders in order to increase aerobic and cardiovascular activity.

"We’re hoping to increase the student’s knowledge of fitness and of their bodies throughout the entire district," noted Deer Park Schools Director of Physical Education Frank Leahy. "Obesity among children has reached epidemic proportions, and by getting the kids up and moving and also talking to them about nutrition and healthy eating, we’re encouraging them to pursue a more active, healthier lifestyle."

Shown in the photos

are sixth graders at the Robert Frost Middle School participating in their school’s new and improved fitness rotation unit during their physical education class.