Education Law

Gettin' students sweatin' to the oldies

BoardBuzz has talked about student fitness many times before. And now one of our old friends is taking student fitness to Washington, D.C. And that's great news, especially in light of recent reports about student physical activity declining with age.

Fitness guru Richard Simmons is going before Congress tomorrow to urge them to keep physical education at the forefront of education. USA Today and the Washington Post are both covering his crusade (here and here, respectively). And it turns out that Simmons is hosting a rally immediately following his appearance on the hill. The Post tells us,

That's right, Richard Simmons, who turned 60 this month and whose "Sweatin' to the Oldies" video is about to turn 20, is slated to testify Thursday before the House Education and Labor Committee about expanding physical education in public schools to combat childhood obesity.

And while he still has his loud helium balloon-like voice and big hair, unfortunately, Simmons is hinting he won't be wearing his signature short shorts and tank top at the hearing.

"When I stand in front of Congress to testify I will speak from my heart but I will look like and talk like a Congressman," Simmons told the Sleuth. "That's right," he added, "no dolphin shorts and tank top."

But keep hope alive. Maybe Simmons will be sporting short shorts and a tank top underneath his congressman costume, which surely he'll have to remove for the "pro-PE" rally he plans to lead immediately after the child obesity hearing.

Sounds like Richard's got a plan to get students out of their seats and in shape!

Full post as published by BoardBuzz: NSBA's Daily Weblog on July 23, 2008 (boomark / email).