Jammin' Minute

As awareness of the childhood obesity crisis spreads, schools across the country are recognizing the importance of providing higher-quality, more nutritious food, and of re-integrating physical activity back into students' daily routines. With disparate amounts of resources to accomplish this, some schools may be finding it easier than others to make changes that improve children's health. The example of River Terrace Elementary in Washington DC suggests that even modest efforts to ensure students get daily physical activity can have overwhelmingly positive results, and create momentum for building a more comprehensive school wellness program in the longer term. This case study looks at Principal Shannon Foster's and her staff's successful school-wide implementation of "Jammin' Minute," a simple one-minute fitness routine that schools can incorporate into students' daily schedule at any time.