Fit Girls Program expands to Cape Cod Hill School and Mt. Blue Middle School this fall

WILTON – The Fit Girls after-school program geared for girls in the fourth through sixth grades that combines reading and running will be expanding to Cape Cod Hill School beginning Monday, Sept. 16. The after-school program will be entering its second year at Academy Hill School in Wilton and will begin there on Tuesday, Sept. 17. Also new, a Fit Girls walking club will be starting up at Mt. Blue MIddle School on Sept. 25.

Thanks to the generous support this fall from the Cape Cod Hill School PTO and the Healthy Community Coalition of Franklin County, as well as, other contributors, the program will be offered to the girls of these communities at no cost.

Under the direction of Deb Aseltine of Wilton, the program’s mission is “to promote a healthy and active lifestyle that includes regular exercise for the body, the mind and the heart.” Aseltine said the “running and reading program builds self-esteem and confidence and helps girls connect with and give back to their community.”

As at Academy Hill, the Cape Cod Hill girls will begin each session with the introduction of the “book of the day” from an age-appropriate selection that features a positive message. The two books selected for first week are Moon Runner by Carolyn Marsden and The Year of the Book by Andrea Cheng. Included at each session will be a book discussion, healthy games, stretching and running and or walking in laps around the school’s fields with a cool down and good thought for the day to finish.

“The running/walking program is designed to gradually and safely build endurance to run or walk a local 5K race. This fall, the girls will be participating in the New England Lung Cancer Project 5k on Nov. 2 in Farmington,” Aseltine said. “The approach of the program is non- competitive and each girl is encouraged to find a pace that is comfortable for her.”

A spin off of the Fit Girls program is the formation of a walking club at the Mt. Blue Middle School. The “Fit Girls Morning Mile Club” will begin Sept. 25 and has a slightly different focus. It will be offered once a week during the school year. As with the elementary program, there will be an introduction of a good book with a positive message, stretching and a brisk morning walk before class.

At the end of the school year, the girls will have an opportunity to walk a 5K for a benefit cause.

The program is not a Mt Blue RSD sponsored event.

Aseltine said she would like to thank the district for allowing use of school facilities to bring this program to the girls in this communities. She would also like to acknowledge Principal Darlene Paine, Principal Gary Oswald, the district’s health coordinator Alyce Cavanaugh, guidance counselor Merrily Welch, teacher Kathy Kerr and volunteers Kelly Weigle, Anna Perry and Mallory Parker for their support and commitment.

The girls will have an opportunity to register for the Fit Girls programs at Academy Hill School, Cape Cod Hill School and the Mt. Blue Middle School at the various school open houses this week. For more information about Fit Girls, please contact Deb Aseltine at wiltonfitgirls@gmail.com or 645-9648.