Offers Healthy Start to the Day for Somerville’s Youth

The City of Somerville Recreation Department, Somerville Public Schools, and Shape Up Somerville announced today the addition of a “Get Up and Go” Breakfast Program which will be offered before school for grades K-8 at the Edgerly, Winter Hill and Healey Schools.  Conducted by Program Developer, George Scarpelli, and Director of Physical Education for the Somerville Public Schools, Tim O’Keefe, the program combines physical activity and nutrition to give students a healthy start to the school day.

While the program will differ at each school, the morning begins with a 30 minute structured physical activity period, with activities including a circuit program with an agility ladder, hurdles, jump roping and basketball, followed by healthy breakfasts offered to all students in the Somerville Public Schools. Get Up and Go averages 20 to 50 students per session.

“Shape Up Somerville began in the Somerville Public Schools, and though our focus on health and wellness has been expanded to policies and programs for residents of all ages, healthy lifestyles start with education at a young age, and we continue to stress the importance of programs like these within our schools,” said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone.  “Though our school food services follow federal regulations, we are proud that here in Somerville, our policies around serving fresh, wholesome foods and eliminating trans fats and a la carte items were ahead of the curve.  We offer universal, free breakfast to any child who requests one in any of our schools, but by adding physical activity programming before school, we are increasing healthy choices and energy to help students succeed every day.”

“This began as an idea to help these kids structure their morning, but we’ve grown into something that really puts these young people on the right path every morning,” said Scarpelli. “I think that one thing you can take from this is that it’s important to provide these programs to help students reach their full potential.