Healthy lessons

NewsPress Editorial Board

April 11, 2008 12:15 pm

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It wasn’t required. In fact, Stillwater High Principal Uwe Gordon didn’t make a big deal out of it.
But what he did do was suggest that his teachers exercise a bit more with the goal of improving their health.
“I want to keep them around,” Gordon said.
With the help of David Hargrove, prevention and intervention specialist for Stillwater schools, Gordon’s idea was taken throughout the school district. For eight weeks, school district employees reported the time they spent exercising each day (the amount doubled from week one to week eight) and, according to Hargrove, even some students got into the action.
Gordon’s idea had a simple base — if people exercise more, no matter how much more, they will be healthier. With help from school nurses, Stillwater Medical Center and the Payne County Health Department, staff members had access to pedometers, weigh-ins, blood pressure checks — even a nutritionist for those interested in eating better.
“We thought if they move more and eat better, their life will be better,” Hargrove said, adding some teachers chose to exercise during their lunch periods rather than eat.
The “program” didn’t cost the school district any money, but it could save some through healthier employees. It also can’t hurt to know that some of the people you work with care about more than just whether you show up.