The Elizabeth Lee Black School is proud to offer a comprehensive education that extends beyond the classroom. Our students not only expand their academic knowledge but also enhance their real-world skills. We place strong emphasis on students’ health and well-being, investing in a wide range of exercise equipment and technology that allows students to engage in physical activity at their own pace. By introducing the many health benefits of exercise early on, we ensure that our students can adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes physical activity throughout their lives. 

Brent Manti, our school’s physical education teacher, says “I think what keeps students engaged is the sense of accomplishment. Progression through exercise is something that can not only be seen but also felt. Students can feel this sense of accomplishment and achievement by being challenged in the fitness room and progressing through those challenges. Goal setting is a major part of our fitness curriculum. Most of the students want to challenge themselves to see how far they can go.”  

“I have seen many students make physical improvements in increasing their fitness levels, but I have also seen students improve in their abilities to use different fitness equipment. Our goal for all our students is to be as independent as possible. Many of our students don’t have the knowledge or skills set to use a lot of fitness equipment, but after many sessions of guidance and training, they are able to work towards fitness goals on a mostly independent basis,” says Manti.  An additional win is that after learning how to use the equipment in the school fitness center, they can go to the Y or gym with a parent and use the equipment independently.  

There are several reasons why fitness remains so important, including:  

* Physical Health: Regular exercise helps maintain a healthy weight, reduces the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension, and improves overall physical health. 

* Mental Well-being: Fitness activities release endorphins, which are natural mood lifters. Exercise can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and improve cognitive function and sleep quality. 

* Academic Performance: Physical activity has been linked to better concentration, memory, and classroom behavior, which can enhance academic performance. 

* Social Skills: Participating in fitness activities can improve teamwork, communication, and leadership skills, fostering a sense of community and belonging. 

* Lifelong Habits: Developing a fitness routine early in life encourages healthy habits that can last a lifetime, promoting long-term well-being. 

* Self-esteem: Achieving fitness goals can boost self-confidence and self-esteem, empowering individuals to tackle other challenges in life. 

On average, about 50 students visit the fitness room each week. We’re thrilled to inspire students to embrace exercise as a fun and effective way to relieve stress, connect with others, boost self-esteem, and develop healthy, lifelong habits.