Island School Receives Recreation Supplies to Help Curb Obesity

Students at Mackinac Island Public School show off new recreational supplies the school received from a Shaping Our Children's Future grant, in conjunction with area hospitals earlier this winter. The grant was designed to help provide nutrition, behavioral health, and fitness guidance to children at risk of becoming overweight. Pictured displaying some of the new supplies are (from left) Molly Tokarz, MaKenna Horricks, Aaron Riggs, Jacob Chambers, Paul Wandrie Jr., and Jessica Beaune. Mackinac Island Public School qualified for a Shaping Our Children's Future grant and received recreation supplies that will help students curb excessive body weight.

As part of a program in conjunction with hospitals in Newberry, St. Ignace, and Marquette, students at Mackinac Island participated in a body mass index screening that was tabulated through the Centers for Disease Control database.

The results showed that 48% of the Island's student body of 75 were found to be considered overweight, obese, or at risk of becoming overweight. This qualified the school for the grant and it received a large duffle bag full of activities and exercise kits, which physical education teacher Mary Patay will implement into her programs.

Those students categorized as overweight, obese, or at risk qualified to participate in a 12-week program about fitness, healthy eating, and lifestyle changes. The program, which welcomes all children to participate, will begin in the spring. Coordinating the program will be Mary Patay and registered nurse Margaret Horn. Call 847-3376 to register.