febuaryacademy

Makala Walker and Nnjai Wynn, above, take part in the FitZone class during the Empowerment Zone’s February Academy at M. Marcus Kiley Middle School in Springfield this week during school vacation. The class teaches fitness and math-solving problems for 100 invited sixth -and seventh-graders in the school. One of the 75-minute FitZone rotating classes features Kiley Dean of Students Mark Laurenzano, right, leading students in weight training and other exercises. Laurenzano, one of 10 teachers in the program, incorporates math problems with the exercises, such as having students figure out their pulse rates after riding stationary bikes. Besides the academics, the students are taking part in various other activities, such as crazy hair/hat day, dress like a boss day and dress like a superhero/villain day.

At February Academy, school is in session at the Springfield’s Kiley Middle School during vacation week.

Fitness Fun in February