On Friday, September 30 Gov. George Pataki's statewide bike tour encouraging healthy eating among children will include a stop and recognition at Rosendale Elementary School.

The mission of Active8Kids! is to instill in children before age eight a daily regiment of consuming at least five fruits and vegetables, engaging in at least one hour of physical activity, and reducing screen time (television and video games) to fewer than two hours.

The Activ8Kids! Promotional Bike Ride and School Recognition Event is scheduled to make six stops across the state, beginning Monday in Buffalo and ending at the Empire State Plaza September 30. The tour will include a one-hour assembly at Rosendale beginning at 8:30 a.m. September 30, including presentation of an award to the school for its work to promote healthy lifestyles for Rosendale students.

The Activ8Kids! campaign was developed by Pataki and the New York State Department of Health (www.nyhealth.gov).

The goal of this promotional bike ride is to increase the awareness of childhood obesity, promote the Activ8Kids! nutrition and physical activity guidelines, and recognize schools that are modeling best practices.

"Activ8Kids! is a program children can enjoy and follow easily to increase physical activity, as well as eat more fruits and vegetables," said NY State Health Commissioner Antonia Novello. "We are encouraging parents, schools and community to develop events and programs that will energize children and get them involved in the decisions that will help them manage their lifestyles and health."

As part of the activities at Rosendale, interested students are meeting at 7 a.m. at River Road Park to ride their bikes to school. They will be accompanied by the volunteer bicyclists serving as Activ8Kids! ambassadors who are making the 360-mile trek from Buffalo to Albany. (This is part of Rosendale's third annual "Safe Route to School Day," part of a national program to promote safety when bicycling or walking to school.)

New York State-grown apples and cider will be served when the students get to school.

After the 8:30 a.m. assembly, each grade level will spend 30 minutes in the gymnasium at different times during the day to participate in a "Milk Mustache Booth" and several physical activities.
 

to top