FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FIT KIDS AND BE FIT fitness programs

Benjamin Franklin Elementary School in Shrub Oak is the winner of this year’s No Junk Food Week contest. 

On Thursday, June 9 Westchester County Executive Andy Spano visited the school in Shrub Oak and presented students with a proclamation for their participation in No Junk Food Week. The County Executive also toured the school's fitness center.

 Out of the 33 schools countywide that participated by giving up junk food for a week in March, Benjamin Franklin had the most students. Six hundred and forty students or 67 percent of the student body took the pledge.

More than 13,000 students in 33 schools participated in the No Junk Food challenge this year – the second year of the event. To participate, students are asked to sign a pledge promising to eat only healthy snacks for one week. Last year’s winner was Brookside Elementary School in Yorktown, where 83 percent of the student body participated. 

No Junk Food week is one of many promotions and activities sponsored by the county as part of the Health Department’s Fit Kids program. The county started Fit Kids in 2003 to help schools encourage healthy eating and exercise among students to fight childhood obesity.

The County Executive said he was very impressed with the school's fitness center, which he said was in keeping with the county's Fit Kids program. Students in grades 3-5 can sign up to use the center and it is also incorporated into the schools physical education program. Students chart their workouts and learn about the value of exercise as part of a daily routine.

"I commend Benjamin Franklin and the Lakeland district for this innovative program,'' said Spano. "The fitness center gives students the opportunity to improve their health as well as learn valuable lessons for the future. Every school should have this type of program.''