Lieutenant Governor’s Call to Action

As a former educator, I know the challenges teachers face in the classroom. I also understand the challenges in ensuring each child performs well academically and reaches their full potential. As Chair of the NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund Commission, I also know the importance of each child being healthy and active and the benefits it provides for academic achievement. Over 24% of the children between the ages of 5 and 11 in our state are overweight and the percentages are even higher for older adolescents.

Classroom teachers and administrators have a unique opportunity to serve as role models for our young people. By incorporating at least 30 minutes of physical activity into the school day, they are setting the stage for a lifetime of healthy behaviors. I realize that the responsibility of maintaining good health for each child does not solely fall upon our schools, but I believe that engaging in physical activity during the school day can help reinforce these behaviors after-school and at home. Our goal is for each child in North Carolina to be active for at least 60 minutes per day. This is the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendation as the minimum required to ensure the development of a healthy, active child.

I hope you find the resources on this website educational and practical. They were developed for our classroom teachers by classroom teachers in North Carolina. Thank you for visiting the Fit Kids website and for continuing to do your part in helping our children prepare for a healthy, active future.

Sincerely,

Bev Perdue