Scott Ertl
wants to turn students into fit readers.
So, if you have an exercise bike serving primarily as a
clothes rack, Ertl would like to have it.
Ertl, the guidance counselor at Ward Elementary School, and
others at the school are starting a program called "Read and Ride."
The idea is for a teacher to bring a class of students into a
room set aside for the program, give each student an educational
magazine, such as Highlights, put the student on an exercise bike, and
let him or her pedal and read for 10 to 15 minutes.
"We need to get kids more active at school," Ertl said. "The
goal is to give kids a way to burn off some extra energy."
It's also a way to build enthusiasm about reading, he
said.
With that in mind, Ertl
is hoping that members of the community will
donate enough stationary | bikes -- 30 is the
goal -- to handle an entire class at once. People can deliver the bikes
if they like, or give the school a call and someone will come pick them
up.
Ertl is also hoping that people
will donate lots of educational magazines, such as Highlights, Boys'
Life, Girls' Life, National Geographic Kids and Time for Kids.
"We're at the beginning stages," he said. "I'm going to do
whatever I can to make it work."
As far as Ertl knows, this is the first time such a program
has been tried at a school.
"I did a
Google search," he said.
Ward is on
Fraternity Church Road in the southwestern part of Forsyth County. To
make arrangements to donate a stationary bike or magazines, call the
school's counseling office at 774-4674. ■ Kim Underwood can be reached
at 727-7389 or at kunderwood@wsjournal.com. |
