The first day of school is right around the corner and the students at Pearl River Central Upper Elementary will return to a brand new playground, thanks in part to a KaBOOM! grant, support from local donors and school officials who care about the overall wellbeing of their students.
PRC High School science teacher Stephanie Morris was of many who helped write the grant for the equipment.
In previous Item coverage, she said one of the motivating factors for applying for the grant is the important impact play has on a student’s physical and academic achievement.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends young adults aged 6 to 17 participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day.
The CDC website lists many benefits to physical activity including maintaining healthy bones and muscles, reducing chronic diseases and alleviating feelings of depression and anxiety.
The benefits also extend to the classroom, as physical activity can help with a student’s academic achievement, behavior, concentration and attentiveness in the classroom, the website states.
It seems the students will receive many advantages to having this new playground at the PRC Upper Elementary campus.
During the day, it’s good for students to have a break from structured book learning. They will probably feel refreshed and ready to finish the rest of their day on a high note.
I’m sure the first day of school for these children will be an exciting one as they anxiously await their recess or physical education hour.
The Item applauds the officials and teachers of the Pearl River Central School District for their continuing effort to bring their students a well-rounded academic experience.