Tuolumne Ahead of California In Physical Fitness Tests
Sonora, CA — This week, the State Department of Education released the annual Physical Fitness Testing Results collected last spring, 2012. The results reflect the outcome of Tuolumne County’s “Fit for the Future” program that aims to improve student fitness and address childhood obesity trends.
Tuolumne County Superintendent of Schools Joe Silva says, “I am very proud of the steady growth our students are making in achieving California fitness standards.” Silva says, “This year, with all elementary schools participating in Tuolumne County, I anticipate significant improvement, county wide, in meeting all 6 of 6 healthy fitness zones when the Physical Fitness Testing report is released a year from now.”
Each spring, students in grades 5, 7, & 9 take the California Physical Fitness test, composed of six criteria: aerobic capacity, body composition, abdominal strength, trunk extension strength, upper body strength and flexibility. In recent years, the number of students meeting fitness standards in all six areas has been below 31%. However, the results from last spring have demonstrated steady improvement in meeting 6 of 6 health fitness zones (see the photos for the charts).
Tuolumne County Superintendent of Schools Office implemented the “Fit for the Future” program in 2011-2012 at three elementary schools (Curtis Creek, Jamestown, and Twain Harte). The program has expanded to every elementary school in Tuolumne County beginning with the 2012-2013 school year.
The program is offered in collaboration with the Tuolumne County Public Health Department and Sonora Regional Medical Center where specialized staff assists classroom teachers in delivering physical fitness standards and nutrition education to their students.
