The Socorro Independent School District had a districtwide wellness walk Sept. 28 at all elementary schools throughout the district to promote physical fitness and encourage families to stay active together.
Parents and family members joined their elementary students during their P.E. classes for the wellness event where they could run or walk as a family.
The wellness walk is part of the district’s commitment to promoting fitness and wellness. All elementary campuses are encouraging their students to enjoy exercise and to involve family members in staying active.
Campuses such as Cactus Trails, Helen Ball, Mission Ridge and Sgt. Roberto Ituarte elementary schools showcased the ways they promote fitness at their schools.
Cactus Trails incorporated their family stone project along with their fitness event. Families brought decorated stones with a message of kindness to be placed along the walking path that students and parents use during wellness events.
Erica Armjio, physical education teacher at Cactus Trails Elementary, said she was happy to see everyone come together for the school’s official fourth annual wellness walk.
“This is part of our community wellness program where every Thursday our kids participate in some form of wellness but today we welcome parents here to participate with them,” Armijo said.
Stephanie Garfield is a parent to kindergarten, first-grade and second-grade students at Cactus Trails Elementary.
“It’s great to have the parents be a part of the students' physical activity at school,” Garfield said. “Wellness is so good for their mental health too and a good escape from the everyday routine.”
Parent Andrea Mejia has a first grader and a third grader at Cactus Trails Elementary where she also volunteers.
“I think it’s good to come out here and do this with our kids,” Mejia said. “If they see their parents doing something they want to do it, too, so we are being good role models to be guiding them to have a healthy lifestyle.”
Isabel Renteria, a first-grade student at Cactus Trails Elementary, said she felt great walking with her mom and running around the track with her friends.
“I love walking and running because it's good exercise and a lot of fun,” Renteria said.
Evan Dupuis, physical education teacher at Sgt. Roberto Ituarte Elementary, said these kinds of community events are very important to the health and wellness of students.
“We know that a lot of healthy habits start at home and that what the kids do here at school can also be done at home,” Dupuis said. “We want to encourage them to spend time with their families outside of school, being active.”
Charles Clark said his family is new to the district and so his son, who attends Ituarte Elementary, was very excited to invite him and his mother to the wellness event.
“This is great to see the school take an initiative with the kids' health and wellbeing,” Clark said. “My son is very athletic, so this was right up his alley.”
Jacobi Clark is a fourth grader at Ituarte and an avid athlete who plays basketball, football and soccer.
“I’m very happy to be here at this wellness walk, walking with my parents,” Jacobi Clark said.
Mission Ridge Elementary physical education teacher Jesus Delgado was excited to have the parents participating with their children in physical activities.
“Health and wellness is something we’ve always pushed at Mission Ridge,” Delgado said. We want our students to be healthy and active, which is something that has been lacking for a lot of people over the last couple years, so we just want to provide opportunities like this for our students and their families.”
Steven Colello, a parent of a first and third grade student at Mission Ridge Elementary, said it’s nice that the school let the parents be involved.
“Her face lit up when she saw us,” Colello said. “I think it’s great to have the parents come here because it makes them become more involved.”
Brianda Lopez is a parent to two students, one in third grade and one in fifth grade at Helen Ball Elementary.
“There is a lot of focus on academics, and we forget the importance of physical activity,” Lopez said. “The younger they start the better because it will help them create a routine and implement the discipline for them to be regularly active.
Caylee Heopley, a fifth-grade student at Helen Ball Elementary, plays basketball so she loves physical activity.
“It’s great to see parents here because it shows us how important it is to move and be active,” Heopley said. “Being active also helps us do better in class.”
SISD districtwide wellness walk event photos
Published January 5, 2023
Strategic Direction: Home, School, Community Partnerships