Jefferson Primary School’s Family Fitness Night drew an enthusiastic crowd of 200 parents and students who were all interested in leading a healthy lifestyle and having some fun.
Jefferson PTA co-Presidents Danielle Cooley and Wendy Nabore and Principal Valerie Capitulo-Saide collaborated on developing the concept of an evening devoted to driving home the importance of regular exercise, good nutrition and overall healthy daily practices and then got physical education teachers Karen Fischer and John Romano to sign-on to the initiative.
Faculty and staff members Joan Aurilia, Carol Coffey, Elyssa Feliciano-Keefe, Toby Fryc, Kristen Kryoneris, Rosita Lanoue, Maria Mazzola, Joanne Taormina, Cindy Tietjen, Eileen Wallace, Colleen Wanser and Sharon Weider assisted in welcoming more than 200 Jefferson School family members to the special evening.
“Families were greeted in our lobby with a ‘healthy eating’ display board made by our PTA,” Ms. Capitulo-Saide said. “Families came dressed to workout in their exercise gear and sneakers.”
The Jefferson gymnasium was jamming with a “Quad WOD” (Workout of the Day), which consisted of four fitness stations with various exercise challenges at each. “These stations focused on health and skill related physical fitness components,” Ms. Fischer said.
The cafeteria was also rocking with fitness card games utilizing a deck of playing cards. “The students were fitness instructors and exercise partners for their family members,” Mr. Romano said.
Volunteers included Jefferson faculty and staff members, along with PTA members and a group of energetic Huntington High School students led by Varsity Club President Alexandra Gerbavsits. “They helped make this event fun, intense and exciting for all who attended,” Ms. Fischer said.
Everyone went home exhausted, including the volunteers.
