Hospital eyes NYSUT healthy lifestyles program

Phys ed teacher Diana Zwirn of Public School 114 in Rockaway goes to the hoop. Exercise is a big part of NYSUT's '24/7 Let's Go!' program.

The statewide union's student-nutrition program has had such a successful rollout to thousands of elementary school children that there is now interest in making it available to a SUNY hospital for its young patients.

The "24/7 Let's Go!" program is the brainchild of New York State United Teachers' Health Care Professionals Council, led by Anne Goldman of New York City. It involves a motivational exercise and eating program with booklets and stickers for children. When the union unveiled the pilot program in March with a news conference at a Troy school, waves of media coverage followed, indicating the public's interest in combatting childhood obesity.

In Syracuse, Upstate Medical Center staff have approached Carol Braund, a member of the health council and United University Professions at SUNY, about bringing "24/7 Let's Go!" to a children's hospital.

At a March meeting, NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi praised the health council for providing its expertise in helping NYSUT set up the program. The program addresses childhood obesity, focusing on having everyone in a class making intelligent choices and encouraging parental participation.

Iannuzzi encouraged schools to consider applying for grants, including teacher center grants, to help pay for more 24/7 materials. NYSUT hopes to expand the pilot program statewide this fall.

More information on the program is available on the NYSUT Web site at www.nysut.org/247.