Contributed

Rowan-Salisbury Schools recently implemented the “I Can Do It!” program, designed to engage students with disabilities in physical activity.

The program is managed by the Administration for Community Living within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in partnership with the U.S. Department of Education. It is voluntary and school-based and designed to provide access and encourage opportunities for students with disabilities to be physically active for 60 minutes each day.

Students that are active through the program for a minimum of eight weeks are eligible to receive the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award. Across Rowan County, 71 students are now eligible for the honor.

Students have the opportunity to exercise in PE class, adapted physical education, recess, extracurricular activities and in-class activity breaks. At North Rowan Elementary School, physical education teacher John Brady used basketball, scooters, tagging games, and jump rope to keep students active, in addition to energizers and brain breaks used throughout the day by their teachers.

“My students were diligent about tracking their hours each week and had fun with it,” said Andrea Werner, a teacher at Carson High School.

Six Rowan-Salisbury Schools implemented the program this spring, including North Rowan Elementary, North Rowan Middle, Bostian Elementary, Southeast Middle, Erwin Middle, and Carson High. As a result of the program and accomplishing their exercise goals, students will be awarded the active lifestyle certificate, which will be signed by President Donald Trump.

The program has recently gained national recognition through a proclamation by the president, and it promotes inclusive physical activity for Americans of all abilities.

“We are thankful for the teachers who daily encouraged their students to be physically active,” says Eisa Cox, executive director of the program. “Developing a healthy and active lifestyle at an early age will be a lasting benefit to our students.”

Rowan-Salisbury Schools plans to expand the program to more schools in the fall.