The Fall River Citizens for Citizens (CFC) Head Start program completed a refurbished activity room on October 20, 2009, to provide regular physical activity for the children at its largest facility at the Aldrich School on Harrison Street. "We've created a new activity room with the help of the Children In Balance (CIB) program," noted Lisa Bothlho of CFC.  CIB operates in Fall River Public School grades 1-3 and also encourages movement and healthy eating. Childhood obesity has been an increasing problem within the United States, but thanks to a Head Start program this problem is being addressed among pre-school children. Head Start has set in motion I Am Moving, I Am Learning (IMIL), a proactive approach for addressing childhood obesity in Head Start children. IMIL seeks to increase moderate to vigorous physical activity every day, improve the quality of movement activities intentionally planned and facilitated by adults, and promote healthy food choices every day. Click here for pictures of the room in action. For further information about the project, contact Project Manager Marcia Picard at 508-324-2228.
 

(Top row) Children In Balance (CIB) project manager Marcia Picard talks with Lisa Botelho, education coordinator of CFC Head Start at the Aldrich School about how the room looked before it was refurbished. (Middle row, center) Education specialist Bernadette Oliveira tells Ms. Picard about the improved room which was completed with the help of parent volunteers from the Even Start program at the YMCA and GED students. Installation of mirrors across one wall gave the room a larger feel. Toys were selected that emphasize physical activity. (Bottom row, left and right) Ms. Oliveira introduces a group of children who are using the room for the first time. (Bottom row, center) Illustrations of "Choosy", the cartoon figure used by Head Start's I Am Moving, I Am Learning (IMIL) program will soon be painted on the walls of the room.