Joe Cannon returns to schools for “Get Earthquakes Fit” Program
June 4, 2009 – Major League Soccer (MLS) San Jose Earthquakes
SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose Earthquakes players Joe Cannon and Shea Salinas returned to the two schools in the Evergreen School District that they visited five weeks ago to conclude the “Get Earthquakes Fit” fitness program Wednesday, June 3.
Cannon returned to Laurelwood Elementary and thanked a group of 100 students for keeping up with the program over the past five weeks. Cannon also emphasized that the children should continue to eat healthy foods and to stay active over the summer to help themselves not just physically but also mentally.
The Quakes goalkeeper reminded them that this program was not a competition, but just a way to have fun through exercise. He finished the day by having all of the children demonstrate three of the activities in the program, “Kangaroo, Cheetah, Turtle”, “Don’t Step on the Snake” and “Hot Coals and Taffy.” He also signed autographs for the children.
Salinas concluded the program with another group of students at nearby Norwood Creek Elementary. The second-year midfielder discussed the importance of maintaining a well balanced diet and of staying active over the summer after using the “Get Earthquakes Fit” fitness program.
Salinas had all the children show him one of the activities in the program that they learned, “Kangaroo, Cheetah, Turtle.” The children at Norwood Creek Elementary told Shea how much they enjoyed the program and that they would continue to do these exercises throughout the summer. As promised, Salinas then finished the day by signing autographs and giving them player cards.
The “Get Earthquakes Fit” fitness program was created by the San Jose Earthquakes in collaboration with the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) and a focus group of teachers and educators. This program is part of the Earthquakes community efforts to promote healthy lifestyles and the importance of being active among children.
“Get Earthquakes Fit” is a five-week program working with third and fourth graders that supports the SCCOE’S fit for learningâ„¢ initiative. fit for learningâ„¢ was launched in 2005 in cooperation with Healthy Silicon Valley, Kaiser Permanente, Santa Clara County Public Health Department, and the Lucille Packard Foundation to combat childhood obesity. The goals of the fit for learningâ„¢ initiative are to improve the wellness of our County’s K-6 schoolchildren through increased physical activity and healthy nutritional choices within the school environment. The “Get Earthquakes Fit” fitness program complements these goals by instructing and supporting teachers to use ten fun activities to encourage students to make physical activity a regular part of their day.
The core values of the program state that the activities are non-competitive, designed to be low-tech and that the activity is its own reward. These values were created to encourage the students to be active without the pressures of competing and to help teach children the joys and benefits of physical activity.
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