All Children Exercising Simultaneously

First Wednesday in May

ACES is the idea of New Jersey physical educator, Lenny Saunders. On the first Wednesday in May each year at 10 a.m. local time, over 7 million school children from all fifty states and as many as 45 Foreign countries will be exercising simultaneously for a minimum of fifteen minutes. The purpose of ACES is to call attention to the importance of youth fitness in a fun, non-competitive atmosphere. The motivation for the students is knowing that children from EVERY state will be participating all over the country with them.

Last year, over 600 Illinois schools and an estimated 180,000 children ( most in the USA!) were very creative in their participation in ACES. Some schools did aerobics, exercises, jogging, soccer, floor hockey, juggling, pickleball, badminton, bicycle riding, relay races, tennis, rope jumping, and more! You choose whatever you feel suitable for your school program or organization.

IDEAS TO MAKE THE PROGRAM FUN AND EASY

1. JUMP ROPE FOR HEART. In honor of "Jump Rope for Heart" in Illinois, include five minutes of jumping rope.
   
2. USE MUSIC. While the children are exercising, put on their favorite music. A possible routine could be their daily activity warm-up.
   
3. INVOLVE THE ENTIRE BUILDING, especially teachers, secretaries, support staff, and administrators. Students will love having their teachers participating with them. Invite parents, school board members, the D.A.R.E.Officer, and local celebrities.
4. RUN THE PROGRAM OUTSIDE, and have an indoor back-up plan if the weather does not cooperate.
5. MAKE USE OF THE PRESS OR LOCAL TELEVISION STATIONS. Children love to see that what they are doing is important. This is a great PUBLIC RELATIONS tool for your program.

This program has received praise and endorsements from President Bush, the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, the National Education Association (NEA); the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD); the National Association of Sports and Physical Education (NASPE); the Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (IAHPERD); and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).
This program will require minimal time and effort and yet will produce maximum rewards. Just think how exciting it would be if we could have over 7 million students exercising at the same time. It would be the world's largest physical education class!!!!

REGISTRATION

Simply return the form below to indicate participation in ACES. Any pictures, newspaper clippings, or videotapes should be directed to the same address for future viewing at the IAHPERD State Convention at the Pheasant Run Resort and Convention Center in St. Charles, Illinois.

Send information to:

ACES REGISTRATION c/o Theresa Mapes
Quincy Junior High School
100 S. 14th Street
Quincy, Illinois 62301
(217) 222-3073
mapesth@qps.org

ACES REGISTRATION

Name

School or Organization

Number of Participating Students: ___________________________________________