Over 800 children from Lynch Literacy Academy gathered on the athletic field this past Wednesday for a little morning exercise and to participate in a national initiative called Project ACES Day.
Project ACES, which stands for All Children Exercise Simultaneously, was founded by New Jersey physical educator Len Saunders in 1989 to help encourage youths to be physically active. The program, now in its 27th year, stresses the importance and the need for youth exercise. Each year on the first Wednesday in May, students from all 50 states and over 50 countries gather to show their commitment to being healthy. This year marked the first time that students in the Greater Amsterdam School District participated.
“The kids express themselves with meaningful movement, with exercise,” said Lynch physical education instructor Merlinda Schreiner, who along with fellow instructors Tim Jones and Mike Gennett, helped organize the event. “The kids are doing a phenomenal job.”
The ACES effort is supported by national organizations including the National Parks and Recreation Association, the National Association for Health and Fitness, and the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. According to its website, Project ACES reaches millions of children worldwide.
