Pasadena ISD staff, students, families and community members gathered for an action-packed evening of fitness and learning at the district’s Family-Fitness-Fun event on Tuesday. This was the first of an on-going Healthy Living series, coordinated by the district’s Health Department and ACE Family Engagement, designed to encourage family, staff and the community to engage in healthy lifestyles. Sam Rayburn High students volunteered at the event and assisted organizers and attendees to make sure the night ran smoothly.
Pasadena ISD kicked off the first of an on-going Healthy Living Series with an action-packed evening of fitness and learning during Pasadena ISD’s Family Fitness Fun event on Tuesday at the Frank Braden Carmen Orozco Center.
“Each event will focus on a different area of wellness – this one being Family Fitness and Fun,” Angela Balch, Pasadena ISD PE Health Program Manager said. “The series is designed to engage family, staff and community members by providing the educational support needed to appreciate and value healthy lifestyles and offer opportunities which will support sustainability for a lifetime – making healthy the norm.”
Family Fitness Fun was hosted by the district’s Coordinated School Health Department and ACE Family Engagement in conjunction with several community partners including the YMCA, Cantu Martial Arts, Fitness Connection and Action Based Learning.
The event featured tons of interactive games, fun fitness activities, along with lessons about the importance of exercise and healthy eating. All activities were free and open to public.
The evening ended with several giveaways. Each family walked away with 30 free days at Cantu Martial Arts and an invitation to attend a free Zumba class and open gym at Fitness Connection.
“We believe it is important to not only educate on the benefits of physical activity but to also offer opportunities for families to connect with community partners in the fitness and health industry,” said Balch.
A group of Sam Rayburn High School athletes also played a role in this community-wide initiative. Throughout the night, students assisted organizers to ensure the event ran smoothly. Student volunteers learned the value of a healthy lifestyle and the importance of teamwork, Balch said.
“I think it is important to teach kids to be active and healthy,” Marissa Mendoza, a Rayburn High School Tex-anns dancer said. “I volunteered tonight because I wanted to do my part to help teach that to kids.”
There will be several other opportunities to participate in the Healthy Living Series. The upcoming events will focus on nutrition, health service resources and healthy summer activities.
“If the Family Fitness Fun night was any indication of what we can expect in the future, then I believe the community is truly in for a treat,” Balch said.
Upcoming events:
February 18- U Really are What U Eat (Nutrition)
March 18- Healthy U (Health Service Resources)
April 15- Summer with U (Healthy Summer Activities)