Here are some comments from past ACES-with-a-Friend days:

Woodland Meadows Elementary School
620 students, 70 friends
"All teachers, custodians, food service staff, food service supervisor and coordinator, principal, mayor of Saline, and all teaching assistants participated.  We had an obstacle course around the school led by the mayor of Saline.  Some walked with their classrooms and stopped to exercise.  Other classes walked.  After the event, each participant received a bottle of water and a badge of participation donated by the food service department.  We had a great response to the program and plan on adding more schools next year and include more people from the community."

Patterson Learning Center
400 students, 100 friends
"We met on the Mileage Club track and walked/jogged to music.  We did the 'YMCA' motions as well as the Macarena, Chicken Dance, and the Train.  We were outside moving for 30 minutes.  (Still had the Swim, Twist, and Pony songs to do, but ran out of time.)  Many requested we play music during our noon 'mileage club' during the fall and spring.  Staff wants more days like that.  I may try to get teams in uniform from the high school next year."

Academy of Detroit - Westland
320 students, 20 friends
"We walked the perimeter of our activity field in one line with our sixth graders as our leaders.  We had three activity stops:  toe touches, lunges, and jumping jacks.  Each of our classrooms have an outside door, so I knocked on each door consecutively (17 classes) and we ended up with a continuous line around the field."

Owen School
411 students, 12 friends
"Participants included the high school athletic director and two student athletes from the high school.  We met on our field, all grades (K-6) had a marked rectangular area.  We jogged, walked, exercised, did cheers, hand gestures (YMCA), stretches and countdown.  The schools did it together and it looked great.  Last year they were in different spots around the school and they couldn't see each other, so it wasn't as fun!  It was very helpful to me.  I would like to have Tom Izzo at our school next year or any Spartan, is that a problem?"

Chapman Elementary School
375 students, 20 friends
"We assembled outdoors on the parking lot and did aerobics to upbeat music for 15 minutes, ending with the song 'I Want Stanley.'...The certificate and letter look great in our hallway!  Thanks!

West Elementary School
425 students, 30 friends
"Staff, parents, grandparents, siblings, and one dog participated.  We walked from our school to downtown and back to the school with a police escort."

North Sashabaw Elementary School
440 students, 20 friends
"We read the congratulatory letter from Governor Engler and Tom Izzo; selected students from each grade level led an exercise/aerobic routine; and then we did the Macarena.  We had a great time.  Lots of compliments!"

Explorer Elementary School
500 students, 100 friends
We walked around the school, jogged around the school, jumped rope on the playground, and did aerobics in the gym.  I appreciated the letter and certificate.  The kids thought it was cool too that the Governor and Tom Izzo signed it!...Great pamphlet about 'Michigan Keep Moving!'  The statistics are helpful to share with parents."

Cedar Springs Middle School
750 students, 50 friends
"Grades 6, 7, and 8 participated in an aerobic routine outside on the lawn.  We talked about making a commitment to a lifetime of fitness.  We emphasized not just doing it today or in PE class but adapting exercise to fit into our lifestyles.  Kids got involved in some cheers--we made lots of noise and got our bodies moving.  This is a great program!"

Northern Trails Elementary School
620 students, 20 friends
"Mitch Lyons, an NFL player, came to speak to students and fire them up about the importance of exercise!  Each 'team' of students (around 50) were assigned an area to play kickball, softball, Frisbee, jog, walk, jump rope, aerobics, b-ball, volleyball, soccer to name a few.  At 10 all students went to their area until 10:30.  It was great."

Central Elementary School
50 students, 10 friends
"We went to the Van Andel celebration!  All sessions were great.  Loved the energy of all who presented and spoke.  Mascots, dancers, TV celebs made for tons of fun!!  Prizes were great--more maybe?  GVSU football guys did a wonderful job of being the escorts--we need them--it made the transitions much easier.  We would love to bring more kids next year.  Hopefully, it will be an annual event...Keep up the excellent work of caring for Michigan kids!"

Daisy Brook Elementary School
410 students, 39 friends
"We played two fitness board games (Toss-R-Cise and Cards for Fitness) to the sound of great music!  I have sent a proposal to MAHPERD to present these games as an idea for others to try next year.  There may be value in reproducing them."

Gladwin Elementary and Intermediate Schools
867 students, 100 friends
"We expanded this year.  I invited our intermediate school (grades 3-5) to join us (pre-K-2) out in the football field to exercise to music.  It was terrific watching over 1,000 students and adults smiling, exercising, and enjoying the celebration.  It was the largest gym class I ever had!"

Gladwin school children being active during ACES.

orth Huron Elementary School
320 students, 26 friends
"The entire staff, including teachers and support staff, participated.  We had about 10 parents join us.  It was a beautiful sunny spring day.  Our school the past two years has walked the course that we use for the Feelin' Good Mileage Club.  We go out at 9:55.  We start walking at 10:00.  The teachers and students love it!  They get a chance to talk and enjoy the company of each other in a relaxed and fun environment.  As a school, we are going to try to do this 15-minute walk as a monthly event!"

Spring Valley Elementary School
330 students, 30 friends
"Three weeks before ACES on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, we gave a quick ACES fitness tip for the day during morning announcements.  For example, statistics about pros of exercising and cons of not exercising.  We have kids read the morning announcements using a video camera whereby they are aired over the TV.  For ACES the PE teacher led aerobics over the TV video camera, and kids in classrooms followed.  It was easy this way--no time wasted assembling students elsewhere.  This way, the entire program lasted 15 minutes exactly...Loved the list of music in your suggestion packet.  It helped me quickly find mine.  These are the songs I used:  'Hot, Hot, Hot'; 'YMCA'; 'Shout'; and 'At the Hop' for aerobics.  'You've Got a Friend' for cool down (song tied in well with concept of ACES With-a-Friend)."

St. Peter's Lutheran School
280 students, 20 friends
"We had a 'field day.'  Each grade spent the day outdoors in various competitions.  We played softball, tug of war, had races, and even ate our lunch outside.  The cooks barbequed for us."

Kaiser Elementary School
400 students, 20 friends
"Fifteen fourth, fifth, and sixth graders were selected as leaders.  T-shirts were ordered for these assistants using your logo and the phrase "Kaiser Kids Keep Fit."  We gathered in our playfield to do an assortment of exercises chosen (and rehearsed) by the leaders beforehand.   A leader was then placed in front of each class to demonstrate and lead each exercise as I announced it over the megaphone.  This was followed by a schoolyard/neighborhood walk in which each class carried a banner announcing ACES day or a fitness message."

Students at Marysville Elementary School get moving during ACES.

North Huron Elementary School
320 students, 26 friends
"The entire staff, including teachers and support staff, participated.  We had about 10 parents join us.  It was a beautiful sunny spring day.  Our school the past two years has walked the course that we use for the Feelin' Good Mileage Club.  We go out at 9:55.  We start walking at 10:00.  The teachers and students love it!  They get a chance to talk and enjoy the company of each other in a relaxed and fun environment.  As a school, we are going to try to do this 15-minute walk as a monthly event!"

Spring Valley Elementary School
330 students, 30 friends
"Three weeks before ACES on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, we gave a quick ACES fitness tip for the day during morning announcements.  For example, statistics about pros of exercising and cons of not exercising.  We have kids read the morning announcements using a video camera whereby they are aired over the TV.  For ACES the PE teacher led aerobics over the TV video camera, and kids in classrooms followed.  It was easy this way--no time wasted assembling students elsewhere.  This way, the entire program lasted 15 minutes exactly...Loved the list of music in your suggestion packet.  It helped me quickly find mine.  These are the songs I used:  'Hot, Hot, Hot'; 'YMCA'; 'Shout'; and 'At the Hop' for aerobics.  'You've Got a Friend' for cool down (song tied in well with concept of ACES With-a-Friend)."

St. Peter's Lutheran School
280 students, 20 friends
"We had a 'field day.'  Each grade spent the day outdoors in various competitions.  We played softball, tug of war, had races, and even ate our lunch outside.  The cooks barbequed for us."

Kaiser Elementary School
400 students, 20 friends
"Fifteen fourth, fifth, and sixth graders were selected as leaders.  T-shirts were ordered for these assistants using your logo and the phrase "Kaiser Kids Keep Fit."  We gathered in our playfield to do an assortment of exercises chosen (and rehearsed) by the leaders beforehand.   A leader was then placed in front of each class to demonstrate and lead each exercise as I announced it over the megaphone.  This was followed by a schoolyard/neighborhood walk in which each class carried a banner announcing ACES day or a fitness message."

Former Lt. Governor Dick Posthumus exercises with students at the Van Andel Area, Grand Rapids ACES With-a-Friend.

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