Howie the Heart Visits Glen Head
 Howie the Heart visited Glen Head during Heart Healthy week. It was a month filled with love and lots of red! The entire school participated in activities and challenges that provided an opportunity for understanding the importance of establishing and maintaining healthy lifestyles. In grades K-2, students received activity packets filled with worksheets, stories, and healthy heart tips. Additionally, during the morning announcements, many of Howie’s favorite songs could be heard on the PA system including Achey Breaky Heart, Don’t Go Breakin’ My Heart, Move It, Fire Burning, and Put a Little Love in Your Heart.

Physical Education teacher, Kellie Moritz said, “Teaching students proper health habits at a young age through fun and interactive challenges are the best way to help them become healthy and remain healthy.” She communicated, “Healthy habits begin at home and it is important for both children and adults to understand the importance of eating healthy, exercising, and embracing other lifestyle decisions that can predict your future.

At Glen Head, Howie the Heart spoke to the students about the benefits of exercise, filling their plates with a rainbow of foods, five daily fruits and vegetables, and what to look for on food labels. Ms Moritz concluded by saying, “The first step in creating healthy children is by creating healthy adults; it should be a ‘family concept’ executed through family activities, family meals, and family discussions.”

The obesity rate continues to rise and physical inactivity and poor eating habits greatly increase a child’s risk for developing Cardiovascular Disease (CVD).  CVD) is the number one killer of Americans, accounting for about 1 million deaths each year.