Created: 3/26/2009 6:44:46 PM 
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Morning starts with a peppy attitude at Hendricks Avenue Elementary School in San Marco.
Students in a running club show up to school before 8 a.m. and start walking or jogging around the track.
Some used to hate running. Now they're excited.
They earn marks on popsicle sticks for each lap. Six laps and you have one mile!
Now the entire school is fired up about fighting the couch and keeping track of activity minutes...anything which involves moving around and NOT lying on the couch.
Hendricks put an old couch outside and let the kids sign the cushions with markers. It was a good way to pledge true involvement.
Take a look at their video for cool ideas for your school.
Big prizes will go to the four classes with the most activity minutes.
You must register to be in this contest. Teachers, just sign up your class and create a fun name for your team.
Public and private schools all across the First Coast are invited.
"Fight the Couch" begins a long-term initiative at First Coast News to combat both childhood and adult obesity, which is especially serious in our area.
Any questions? Just email Jeannie Blaylock at jblaylock@firstcoastnews.com.
©2009 First Coast News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten, or redistributed.
