Polk Elementary Receives Healthy School Award

by Alexandria Patch Staff

James K. Polk Elementary School was honored for its participation in the Marine Corps Marathon Healthy Kids Fun Run.

Polk is one of five Virginia schools to be honored with the Healthy Schools Award. Of those schools, Polk had the most students participate in the run with 325 students participate.

Other schools receiving the award: Lynbrook Elementary in Springfield (323 students); George Mason Elementary in Alexandria (245 students); Mount Vernon Community School in Alexandria (216 students); and Claremont Immersion School in Arlington (206 students).

"The Healthy Kids Fun Run is consistently growing in participation as parents, schools and communities reinforce the importance of a healthy lifestyle and physical fitness among youth," Marine Corps Marathon Director Rick Nealis said in a news release. "The Healthy School Award recognizes the schools that have excelled in their efforts to encourage active kids."

The run was in late October in Arlington, and more than 3,000 students age 5 to 12 participated in the 2012 Healthy Kids Fun Run.

The five schools with the most students participating received an award, plus a monetary donation to their physical education programs by Marine Corps Marathon partner Sodexo. The amount of money to be awarded was not immediately available Tuesday.