Sope Creek Elementary's Special Guest

Saying she was “impressed with how this exercise gets them going and ready to learn,” Georgia First Lady Sandra Deal recently on Friday to see for herself how the school’s morning exercise program is impacting local students.

Accompanied on the visit by Georgia Department of Public Health Commissioner Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D., State Rep. Sharon Cooper (R-East Cobb) and Cobb County School Superintendent Dr. Michael Hinojosa, Mrs. Deal was able to observe the school’s “Sunrise Program” and participate in a cardio session with the students.

The visitors saw the school’s daily fitness program in action and watched hundreds of Sope Creek students running, playing games, dancing and jumping to music for 20 minutes as they kick started their day of learning with high-level cardio fitness routines.

The Sunrise Program is of interest because the school has been tracking student test scores and has determined a direct connection between the physical fitness of a student and improved test scores.

Sope Creek Principal Martha Whalen and lead P.E. teacher Shawn Maloney have teamed up with staff and teachers to make this exercise-driven start a daily routine for as many students as possible.

“This program takes just 15 minutes a day and doesn’t require any extra funds,” said Whalen. “It’s simple and it works -- and we see it’s making our students academically successful.”

Coach Maloney added, “The commitment of teachers and administration to getting our children a cardio start to the day leads to a great school day for a child. And, increasing their fitness level at this age -- that’s a lifelong gift.”

The First Lady, a former teacher, also read to some of the school classes and enjoyed hearing the children talk of their aspirations for when they grow up.

“It was really neat to have Mrs. Deal at Sunrise today. She really got into the music and I liked seeing her dance with us,” said Avery Rogers, a fifth grader whose mom, Natalie, volunteers at the school leading Zumba classes for the kids as part of the morning program.

The visitors capped off their day with a Q&A about the fitness program by staff and learning about the links between increased test scores, academic abilities and cardiovascular fitness.