PLATFORM : Fit Body, Fit Mind

When kids can’t run or stretch, or even measure up to the basic standards of physical fitness or physical conditioning, how can they measure up in other ways? If they don’t feel good about themselves, they don’t do well in school. Research has shown that.

In the recent tests (at Hancock Park), our kids did very well compared with how they usually do. I think that one of the reasons was that we had an experimental program called KidFit last year. It’s just a very simple physical fitness program with exercises that the kids can do before taking part in physical education.

Our California Assessment Program scores went up this year. Our academic scores also improved. I wouldn’t go as far as to say that KidFit is directly responsible. But in other schools I’ve been in, the children who do well academically often are the most physically fit.

And with this whole thing of anti-drug, anti-alcohol and all that--well, we know what to tell them not to do, but we need to tell them some positive things to do.