• March 18, 2019

    More than 100 participate in Baker Kids of STEEL

    Baker Kids of STEEL More than 100 Baker Elementary students are taking part in the Kids of STEEL program, coordinated through the school’s Parent Teacher Association.

    The Kids of STEEL program is an award-winning, physical activity and nutrition program offered free of charge to any interested classroom, school or youth organization. During training, participants complete 25 miles of physical activity at school, during a before or after school program, or at home with their families.

    “The introduction of our afterschool Kids of STEEL program is among the most exciting things to happen at Baker,” Lindsay Beck, Baker PTA president, said. “Melissa DePuy has been working tirelessly to bring this program to our school since her daughter Teagan was in kindergarten, and 2.5 years later, we are so thrilled to have it finally underway.”

    Throughout the 10-week program, students train after school twice a week under the leadership of School Nurse Holly Fisher and PTA volunteer Melissa DePuy along with many other Baker staff members and parent volunteers.

    “The feedback we’ve received from the teachers and parents about what the kids are saying about the program so far has been wonderful!” Mrs. DePuy said. “They’re asking their parents to go on runs as a family after school, and on the weekends. The kids who would rather play video games after school are asking their parents if they can join the program to run with their friends.”

    In addition to getting kids off the couch, the hope is that wellness becomes a lifelong pursuit.

    “We’re teaching them an important lesson of how exercise will benefit their lives,” Mrs. DePuy added. “Holly Fisher and I are runners ourselves, and we are so thrilled to be able to share this experience with our Baker family.”

    The culminating activity for the Kids of STEEL program is the one-mile Pittsburgh Kids Marathon at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 4. The Kids Marathon begins on the North Shore and runs across the Clemente Bridge and finishes at the official finish line downtown.

    “We can’t wait to join our kids at the race on Saturday, May 4th,” Mrs. DePuy said.