Valuing Physical Activity On and Off the Playing Fields

Photo Credit: Cambridge School

Independent schools throughout the region promote physical activity as a crucial component of wellness. While sports are an important part of student life, they’re not the only avenue to healthful movement. Many local schools also encourage outdoor exploration and offer classes such as dance or strength-training that give students opportunities to learn new skills that might be with them their whole lives.

Teachers and administrators say this focus on movement provides an important balance to a screen-based culture that seems designed to lure students into hours of sedentary time on computers and phones. Exercise is important, they say, for physical and mental health, and also to promote learning.

“If I don’t get some exercise and move around, it’s hard fo