Post Messenger Recorder -

Educators in the Belleville and New Glarus School Districts already understand the importance of collaboration, teamwork, motivation, fitness and sportsmanship. In an effort to put those characteristics further into practice and model for our students, the districts have come together for a Winter/Spring Fitness Challenge.

The idea came from Bob Gentilli, a teacher from Belleville and the Sugar River Raiders Boys Soccer Coach. Mr. Gentilli set up the rules for the challenge in which members from both schools would log their minutes of activity and record them on a shared spreadsheet. The participants contribute $5 to join, and both schools select a cause in their community. The school who averages the most minutes over eight weeks wins. The winning school earns the first annual Fitness Trophy, which has the logo from both schools. The winning school shows good sportsmanship by donating all of the money to the other school’s community or cause. All around, it is a win-win scenario for both schools and communities. In addition, the professionals get to model the above qualities for students in their schools.

Through the first half of the challenge, the competition has been fierce and many teachers and staff members in both schools have shown an impressive commitment to a healthy lifestyle. The competition ends on Sunday, April 3rd, and the participants plan to come together for a picture and a small celebration to honor the teamwork and each other. Congratulations to both school’s staff members, and best of luck!