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 ALBANY, N.Y. (Feb.
4, 2009)
-- New York State First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson visited two City
School District of Albany schools Feb. 4 as part of her statewide
tour to kick off the “Healthy Steps to Albany” challenge.
Mrs. Paterson visited North Albany Academy and Stephen and Harriet
Myers Middle School in her efforts to raise awareness of the health and
wellness initiative she created to combat childhood obesity in the
state. Mrs. Paterson visited William S. Hackett Middle School in the
fall to discuss her plans for “Healthy Steps to Albany.”
“Childhood obesity is an epidemic that is threatening
our families’ long-term health, she said. “Despite the incredible medical breakthroughs of the past few
decades, our children are part of the first generation of
Mrs. Paterson visits with North Albany Academy students
kids who may have a shorter life expectancy than
during her tour to promote her "Health Steps" initiative.
their parents.
“We have seen an increase in the rates of obesity-related illnesses,
including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. We, as parents, educators
and community leaders must promote healthy activity, eating and living
so that our children can lead long, healthy and active lives."
 Mrs. Paterson also
is visiting schools in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse
and Yonkers to kick off "Healthy Steps" and talk with middle-school
students about health and fitness.
“Healthy Steps to Albany” is a six-week fitness program geared toward
middle school students. Participating classrooms represent a team, and
student team members log their minutes of activity online.
Students will use the
“Healthy Steps” Web site to convert various exercises into steps and
class teams track their step progress on a map that highlights fun facts
about New York. The teams that log the most steps will be rewarded with
a luncheon hosted by Gov. David Paterson and Mrs. Paterson, a trip to a
local organic farm and other prizes.
The City School
District of Albany serves approximately 8,400 students in 18
elementary, middle and high schools. In addition to neighborhood
schools, the district includes several
magnet schools and programs, as well as other innovative academic
opportunities for students. The
district is more than halfway through its comprehensive facilities
project to newly
Mrs. Paterson talks with Myers sixth-grade students.
build and/or renovate nearly all of its elementary
and middle
schools. The ultimate goal of the facilities project is
to provide schools with the resources necessary to help students
succeed in the 21st century. |
