Students
in Morgan Walters and Keri Stefanski’s fifth grade classes at Main Street Intermediate
are learning about the benefits of staying healthy. Thanks to a program
sponsored by UNICEF, their healthy choices are also helping those less
fortunate.
“I
entered a drawing for UNICEF and was selected to get these bracelets that are
similar to FitBits,” said Walters. “Not only does it get them moving, but the
more they move the more it helps raise money for school supplies, meals and
vaccinations for children around the world that cannot afford them.”
Students
agree that helping others in need has been a great incentive for increasing
their activity levels.
“They
(the bracelets) are used to track our steps,” said Kazi Grassel. “If you get
enough steps, you can get a mile or one point. It takes 2,400 steps to get a
point, and our goal is to have 5 points a day. Ten points unlocks a packet. A
packet is something they send somewhere where there’s homeless children who
need medicine and food and water.”
Students
also say the UNICEF project is promoting good work and behavior in their
classroom.
“We
can only use them if we are being good,” said Raymond Boswell. “We have this
system called Dojo and we have to earn good points. “The better our behavior
is, the more we get to use the UNICEF watches.”
The
two classes, forty-two students total, have raised 50 packets so far and are
averaging 122,067 steps per day. At the end of the year, students will get to keep
the bracelets and continue the project on their own.
“They
get to keep them forever and continue raising more awareness and getting more
points and packets for those in need,” said Walters.
Students
say they are having a lot of fun with the bracelets, but they also say the main
reason for participating in this project is the opportunity of helping others.
“Not
only are we helping kids around the world with food and healthiness,” said
Boswell. “We are also giving them an education. Over 1 million students across
the world don’t have an education, so it’s really enjoyable for us to give
students around the world an education.”
