N. Bellmore piques congresswoman's interest

Since the fall of 2008, students in North Bellmore have spent at least 10 minutes a day running around their classrooms, and their teachers encourage such behavior.

North Bellmore was one of five school districts on Long Island to pilot Activity Works, a program created by North Shore Long Island Jewish Hospital to improve children's academic performance and physical fitness.

The program consists of 20 video adventures that combine physical activity with learning in the classroom for students in first through third grades. The students take part in Activity Works at least once a day in addition to their regular physical education.

The program recently grabbed U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy's attention and brought her to Newbridge Road Monday. As chairwoman of the Healthy Families and Communities Subcommittee and a former nurse, McCarthy has long been interested in promoting proper nutrition and fitness for America's youth. She wanted to observe Activity Works in the classroom and learn how it had helped North Bellmore students.

Before stopping by JoAnn Larkin's third-grade class, the congresswoman sat down with Newbridge Principal Marilyn Hirschfield, coordinator of the Prevention Program Lynne Smith, phys.-ed. teacher Michael Weiner, Superintendent Arnold Goldstein, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum Marilyn Johnson, Board of Education President JoAnn DeLauter and Trustee Joe Perrone. Nancy Cooperman, director of Public Health Initiatives at North Shore LIJ, was also there to explain the program.

McCarthy told the group that since First Lady Michelle Obama had been in the White House, a larger focus has been placed on putting an end to childhood obesity. McCarthy has long been a supporter of encouraging children to pursue healthier lifestyles. She noted that those who are physically active show improvements in other areas of their lives. "The kids are reacting better long term ... We're also seeing improvements in education," she said.

Weiner, who helped implement the program in North Bellmore, said they had seen similar results. He said that students look forward to the activities and "that they're a lot more focused thereafter."