Fun Friday Fitness is a new nine-week activity period at South Park Elementary School.

Occurring during the term when students do not have art and would otherwise have a study period, the program was initiated by the school’s health council after a couple of staffers returned from a Mississippi State University Extension workshop.

“The goal is to get everyone — kids, faculty, parents — healthier, to get them moving,” said Angela Clemts, South Park’s music teacher who’s a core member of the program. “We want to show them you don’t have to go to the gym to exercise. You can walk, dance, even use canned goods as weights. There’s a variety of things you can do to exercise.”

Often joining the students have been teachers and a few parents, Clemts said.

Classes meet for 40 minutes, with a 20-minute health lesson and a 20-minutes fitness routine. Various community professionals and volunteers have come in to talk to the kids.

On Friday, Charlene Miles, co-owner of the Little Miss Priss boutique on Culkin Road, had kindergartners walking around with books on their heads, practicing good posture. Miles explained the importance of posture to good bone development and growth, and also spoke about good manners and safety.

Then the coats came off, the music came on and the kids were up and moving.

During first period, the kindergarten students from Susan Mc-Kinnie’s and Angelia Donaghe’s classes marched, side-stepped, jumped and twirled, led by Clemts and school counselor Marian Richardson.

They also jumped around while trying to keep up with the motions to the Village People’s “YMCA.”

Richardson and P.E. teacher “Coach” Darryl Floyd are always on hand to help.

The kids missed one Friday session early in February due to snow, but have had mini-lessons from a River Region Medical Center nutritionist, a Project SYNC speaker on self-esteem and a spokesman from R.A.T., Refuse All Tobacco.

The kids are reminded that many of their favorites things, from fast food to TV, are OK — in moderation.

“We just want them to make better choices, to be more aware,” said Clemts. “The kids really like it.”

Clemts said Bovina Elementary has a similar program, and Warrenton Elementary will do it during the next nine-week period. Clemts said South Park will do it again next year.