School invites parents to visit, exercise in gym
CRANBERRY TWP — The shrieks and laughter coming from Rowan Elementary School's gymnasium Tuesday morning were nothing out of the ordinary, but the program happening inside was anything but normal.
That's because more than a dozen parents showed up dressed in shorts and yoga pants to exercise with their children in the Seneca Valley School District.
There were normal exercises like sit-ups and rope climbing, but there were other elements infused to ensure both child and parent had fun while exercising.
Gym teacher Mike Manipole said that was the point of the event — to bring parents and their children together to show that exercise can and often is fun.
There was Nintendo Wii bowling, volleyball, basketball, stationary bikes, jump rope and even footballs. Manipole said there were 16 total stations which the parents and children rotated among with every blow of a whistle.
However, it wasn't just all fun and games. Manipole promised the parents before the event they would have “obscure muscle aches” after the event.
“We want to share with parents the greatest gift, the gift of good health,” Manipole said.
The gym teacher, who was conducting similar events each day this week, hopes to bring every parent through his gym doors to exercise.
“This is one of my favorite parts of the year,” he said. “There's nothing I love more than seeing parents and their children having fun together.”
Some parents like Kelly Eckenrode of Cranberry Township knew just what to expect walking into Rowan Elementary. That's because she's participated in the event nearly 20 times, given that she has five children who have participated each year they're in elementary school.
Eckenrode gave an interview while banging out sit-ups almost effortlessly. Her daughter, Ali, 7, stood on her mother's knees in an effort to keep her anchored to the mat.
“It's fun,” she said with a smile. “My kids have always loved it.”Ali didn't have much time to talk as she scampered on to the next station, although she said she had her eye on the rope hanging from the middle of the gym.“That's my favorite,” she said. “And hanging out with my mom.”Cranberry resident Gina Gramz climbed the rope hanging from the gym's ceiling as her children watched below.There were plenty of smiles going around the gym, including from Gramz as she climbed the rope.“It's nice to see what our kids are doing during the day,” she said. “Sometimes you ask your kids what they've done during the day, and they don't say anything. This provides a great glimpse into what they do.”Gramz' son, Ryland, held his mother's hand and said he looks forward to this day every school year.“We get to have fun together,” Ryland said.David Madzam had fun with his son, Ryan, as the two played Nintendo Wii bowling together.“I'm very impressed,” he said, noting this was the first time he's participated in the event. “It's very cool the school put this together.”Manipole will be exercising with parents and children for the rest of the week.
