PawPALS (Physical Activity as a Lifetime Skill)

Structure of the Program :   Daily "active play" sessions including games and physical activities are completed for students before school begins.   Both at risk students (BMI for age greater than the 85 th percentile) and other students are involved in the program.   Currently, the children are at the 3 rd and 4 th grade level. The program is in its third year at Parker Elementary School in Tolland, CT.   There have been over 60 students involved in the program thus far.   The program is supervised by Jaci L. VanHeest, Ph.D. with support from Laura J. Burton, Ph.D., graduate and undergraduate students in the Department of Kinesiology and the Department of Educational Psychology.