Concerned about the increasing number of children who are oveweight or obese, physicians Breanna Henry and Nicole Sully, of Parkland Family Health Center, Schnecks-ville, offered to partner with the school district to develop a series of evening health and fitness programs for students and their parents.

At the Oct. 22 board meeting, Director of School Services Robert Thornburg reported the doctors worked with school personnel to plan four events focusing on information, nutrition and fitness.

The endeavor, Wellementary, was launched in October with the program, Kick Start Your Health.

Thornburg said after an informative presentation, everyone was invited to participate in guided kicking activities for about 15 minutes. Healthy refreshments were served.

Wellementary program's aim is to include engaging interactive components to get the entire family up and moving.

Valley Preferred contributed $10,000 toward Wellementary and developed a distinctive logo for the series.

Funds from Valley Preferred were directed toward providing incentives to parents to attend the events. Gift cards from area businesses, a DVD, and a bicycle and helmet were a few of the items given out at the programs.

The grand prize at the end of the Wellementary series in April 2014 will be a weekend at Bear Creek.

Thornburg said at the first event, the physicians explained body mass index and the harmful effects of being overweight.

In the past 20 years, he explained, childhood obesity has doubled. One-third of Parkland students are overweight or obese.

The physicians reported Type 2 diabetes is showing up more frequently in children, and the medicine for it has been losing its effectiveness, Thornburg said.

The message given parents for prevention of childhood obesity is to limit screen time, increase physical activity and provide nutritious foods.

Thornburg saidparents can purchase healthy snacks through the district food service for their children's birthdays instead of taking cupcakes or other sweets to the class. Board member Mark Hanichak asked whether additional physical activity could be added to the school day.

"With both parents working, there isn't always enough time at night for it," Hanichak said. "Could they do more physical activity in school?"

District Superintendent Richard Sniscak said the district has been increasing its emphasis on health and wellness for kindergarten through grade 12, serving more nutritious food in the cafeteria, and offering lifetime activities in which children can be involved.

Forthcoming Wellementary programs will be Family Fitness: Let's Get Physical on Dec. 5; Healthy Bites, Jan. 15, 2014; and Olympian Wisdom, April 9, 2014.