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Sunray Elementary targets students' fitness, adolescent bulge

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BY KLINT LOWRY

THE SUNCOAST NEWS

Published: December 10, 2008

HOLIDAY - As a registered nurse with Pasco County Schools, Melanie Hagerty knows firsthand that the stories we all hear about today's kids being out of shape are true.

"I see middle school kids who can't even bend over and touch their toes," Hagerty said.

So when Gov. Charlie Crist signed legislation in 2007 requiring elementary schools to include 150 minutes of combined physical education classes and other physical activity into its curriculums, Hagerty was all for it. She had just the program for Sunray Elementary School, where she serves as school nurse.

This year, Sunray students have been doing TappCore, an exercise routine Tampa-based fitness expert Teresa Tapp created for use in schools.
Hagerty met Tapp at a nurse's conference and was impressed with the effects Tapp's exercise program had on her own health. She was convinced of the principles behind it, and felt the TappCore routine was just what the doctor - or, rather what the governor ordered.

"It's mental focus; it's confidence; it's kinetic awareness, it helps them get their balance, it helps them get their flexibility," Hagerty said.

Three months after introducing TappCore to staff and students, it has proven to be a schoolwide hit. Physical education teacher Barbara Dodson has joined Hagerty in her enthusiasm for the system after seeing changes not only in the students' physical well-being but in their behavior and concentration, as well.

"It's the connection between the mind and the body," Dodson said.

TappCore consists of a series of nine movements that engage both hemispheres of the brain, promoting better mental and physical coordination. As a school activity, it has several advantages, Hagerty and Dodson explained. The movements are low-impact and only require a little space for each student and no equipment, meaning they can be done anywhere, anytime, by practically anyone.

"It's something the kids can enjoy," Hagerty said. "It's a program where you don't have to be athletic to be successful. I can take the little chubby kid who can't run, who can't throw the ball, and they can do hoedowns and feel good about themselves."

It may not be physical education, but it is definitely physical, Dodson said. It takes practice to do the movements right. And when done right, the simple-looking movements are deceivingly exhausting.

"The first time I did it, after a couple minutes, I was like, 'c'mon, you call yourself a PE teacher?' " she said.

One of the most gratifying aspects has been seeing the pride these students have exhibited as they have mastered the movements, Hagerty said. It has, in fact, become downright competitive, as was evident Nov. 18 when Tapp visited the school for the "Hoedown Showdown."

"Hoedown" is the name of one of the nine movements. The idea was that Tapp would lead the students in a round of exercise. The 12 who could do the movement in good form the longest would join Tapp and fellow students who had won an essay contest in making a 30-minute recording that would become the school's official exercise video.

But there were so many students determined to be a "TappCore Kid," the students outlasted their class periods, so they had to declare 34 winners.
Hagerty couldn't say enough about Tapp, who has given out free DVDs and T-shirts to staff and all the "TappCore Kids" and volunteered to make the video for the school. She said she almost felt guilty accepting so much of Tapp's generosity. Then again, she and Dodson understand that it comes from a motivation they all share.

Sunray is a Title I school, Hagerty pointed out, meaning 76 percent of its students qualify for free or reduced lunches. During the week, the children spend more waking hours at school than they do at home, and their parents are pushing themselves to the limit making ends meet, leaving little for family recreation. So if they are to have a healthy lifestyle, the school must take much of the responsibility.

"We're molding these kids; this is important to teach these kids how to take care of their bodies," Hagerty said.

To learn more about Teresa Tapp's workout systems, visit www.t-tapp.com>.

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