Though not the normal type of story for our blog, this story was too fantastic not to share. Students from Nathan Hale Middle School are sharing their gym class with senior citizens from Maplewood at Strawberry Hill, an assisted living facility. Recently The Hour Online shared their story in the article Senior citizens participate in gym class at Nathan Hale Middle School. From the article:

“We decided it would be a nice intergenerational activity to get the kids involved with the community,” said Jan Folchetti, a physical education teacher at Nathan Hale. “It’s a great tradeoff for the both of them. The seniors come in and they get some life and joy out of the kids. The kids get to see a different side of life.”

This heartwarming story shows the impact that is possible when the entire school community comes together. From chair aerobics to sharing stories and laughter, physical education can make an impact throughout a community and be both heartwarming and heart healthy. Kudos to all involved!