Wednesday, November 18, 2009

44 - First lady promoted exercise and nutrition during visit with Va. school children


44 - First lady promoted exercise and nutrition during visit with Va. school children:

"First lady Michelle Obama visited Hollin Meadows Elementary School in Alexandria on Wednesday to tour the school's outdoor classrooms and promote the importance of nutrition and physical education to learning.

'Anyone who has kids knows they need recess and exercise to focus. If you own a dog, you know that,' Obama said, drawing laughs from school officials."

The aging brick school, which has a science and math focus, has more than 14,000 square feet of gardens on its campus, and teachers often bring their lessons outside. The courtyard hosts an outdoor library, and math and science lessons can involve measuring worms or studying the anatomy of real plants, rather than diagrams. It was one of 61 schools in Fairfax County recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for an emphasis on health and nutrition.