Let’s Move in School

Let’s Move in School is a national initiative to increase physical activity before, during, and after school organized by the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD). This group is composed of five national associations, six district associations, and a research consortium. It provides its members with the resources, support, and programs to improve their skill in furthering the health and well-being of the American public. The largest of the five national associations is the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE). They are a nonprofit professional membership association that sets the standards for practice in physical education and sport.1

The goal of Let’s Move in School is to ensure every school provides a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP). The goal of a CSPAP is two-fold. It provides a variety of school-based physical activity opportunities that enable students to participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity each day and it provides coordination among the CSPAP components to capitalize on the understanding, application, and practice of the knowledge and skills learned in physical education to equip the students for a lifetime of physical activity.2

The Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program consists of physical education before, during, and after school, staff involvement, and family and community involvement.3

Physical education is an academic subject and is the foundation of the Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program. The planned and sequential curriculum is based on state and national physical education standards.4

Physical activity during school provides all students opportunities to practice what they have learned in physical education. They work towards the goal of 60+ minutes of daily physical activity. Opportunities include physical activities integrated into classroom lessons, physical activity breaks, recess, and drop-in activities after lunch.5

Physical activities before and after school include walking and biking to school on a Safe Routes to School Program, informal recreation, physical activity in school-based child care, activity clubs, intramural, and interscholastic sports.6

Staff involvement is critical to a successful CSPAP program. High-level support from administrators in a school-based physical activity for school employees can improve staff health, increase activity levels, and be cost effective to a school employee wellness program. They also serve as positive role models for students.7

Families can provide support by participating in evening and weekend special events and serving as physical education volunteers. Communities can allow maximum use of school and community resources such as facilities and personnel to open physical activity opportunities.8

Schools can register to participate by planning a Let’s Move in School celebration during National Physical Education and Sport Week held annually in May.9

• 1. “Let’s Move in School Press Release.” Let’s Move in School. < http://www.aahperd.org/letsmoveinschool/news/letsmoveinschool.cfm > 17 Feb. 2011.
• 2. “Overview of a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program.” Let’s Move in School. < http://www.aahperd.org/letsmoveinschool/about/overview.cfm > 17 Feb. 2011.
• 3. Ibid.
• 4. “Physical Education.” Let’s Move in School. < http://www.aahperd.org/letsmoveinschool/about/pe.cfm > 17 Feb. 2011.
• 5. “Physical Activity During School.” Let’s Move in School. < http://www.aahperd.org/letsmoveinschool/about/paclassroom.cfm > 17 Feb. 2011.
• 6. “Physical Activity Before and After School.” Let’s Move in School. < http://www.aahperd.org/letsmoveinschool/about/beforeandafter.cfm > 17 Feb. 2011.
• 7. “Staff Members Move in School.” Let’s Move in School. < http://www.aahperd.org/letsmoveinschool/about/staffinvolvement.cfm > 17 Feb. 2011.
• 8. “Family and Community Involvement.” Let’s Move in School. < http://www.aahperd.org/letsmoveinschool/about/communityinvolvement.cfm > 17 Feb. 2011.
• 9. Op. cit., “Let’s Move in School Press Release.”