Students of Fort Riley Middle School learned that wellness is more than just physical. The Wellness Fair at Fort Riley Middle School April 16 introduced children to representatives from organizations promoting physical wellness, financial wellness and mental wellness. The event exposed them to healthy habits and healthy hobbies.
Students sampled healthier food and lifestyles. Some booths offered games and demonstrations to teach kids the value of wellness.
Students also learned about financial wellness.
Dennis Proietti, retail market consultant with Central National Bank, said if there was one thing he wanted students to take from his booth, it was knowing how much they have to live on and spend and being able to make wise choices with that information.
"We're here just trying to get across to the kids that saving is a good way to become financially healthy," said Proietti. "[We're trying] to get them thinking about budgeting and things like that -- to make good choices with the money that they earn instead of just squandering it on unnecessary things."
Proietti said a key factor in financial success is resisting the urge to rely on credit cards as well as formulating a budget and sticking to it.
Another key component in the wellness fair was physical wellness.
Joanie Hayden, physical education teacher at Fort Riley Middle School, said research supports mental agility increases for those physically active.
"In fact, we are a part of the Kansas State Department of Education Kansas Fitness Information Tracking Project," said Hayden. "They compare the kids' reading and math scores with their fitness scores and the research shows that fitter kids learn better and do better, not only on tests but they're just more alert in school."
The Kansas Fitness Information Tracking Project, also known as K-FIT, is a program funded by the Kansas Health Foundation. Participating schools use fitness testing in physical education curriculum and report the information to the Kansas State Department of Education.
One incentive for participating schools includes a $200 stipend for the first year participating in K-FIT. The stipend is for use in physical education programs.
For more information on K-FIT, visit www.kshealthykids.org http://www.kshealthykids.org.
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