Franklin Elementary Medical Sciences and Wellness Magnet School

is committed to student success.

Students rotate weekly visits to the YMCA Downtown, the medical science lab for maximum exposure to

fitness and scientific experiences. The school's counselor provides opportunities each week for students to listen to career professionals in the medical sciences, safety, fitness, nutrition and health.

Physiology, which is the study of movement, is a key word for Franklin Students as we understand the importance of our ongoing quest to move for fitness, agility,and flexibility.

Franklin on the MOVE

Franklin Elementary Medical Science and Wellness Magnet, Mississippi’s only medical and wellness magnet school, has recently implemented a unique fitness program for students in grades K-4.   Students walk at least 10,000 steps a day; 50,000 steps a week; 100,000 steps every two weeks; for a grand total of

1,000,000 steps per student by the end of the first semester.

 

     Documentation is an important process that begins in the classroom.  The teachers assisted students with step conversions of activities and calculations the first six weeks of school.  In an effort to include the family, the responsibility for documentation of after school activities was then shared with the parents the second six weeks.  Activity logs for documentation began as one log, then evolved into two: one for school activities and one for at-home activities. In addition, students have the option to participate in a morning walking club before school.

 

     The faculty was aware that an incentive program would be a significant factor in the motivation and continued participation of the students.  Therefore, a reward system was established for not only short term accomplishment, but also ongoing for long term accomplishments.  A neckchain was presented to each student with an athletic shoe charm attached for every 100,000 steps successfully completed.  The goal for each student is to have 10 shoe charms by the end of the semester for a grand total of 1,000,000 steps.  Students who successfully reach the goal of 1,000,000 steps will be recognized at a special assembly at the end of the semester.

  Baptist Memorial Hospital

The partnership with Baptist Memorial Hospital began with the school’s first annual health fair held in August, 2008.  Weekly visits are made by Christina Brown, the hospital’s marketing department chair.  During the visits programs are presented on different aspects of health care and various health care professions. A field trip to the hospital is planned for fourth grade students to see these professionals “on the job”.

Mississippi University for Women

The Division of Health and Kinesiology at MUW opened the doors of Pohl Gymnasium to coordinate the physical fitness tests for the students.  Fitnessgram, which is a complete battery of health-related fitness items that are scored using criterion-referenced standards, was used to measure all K-4th grade students’ cardiovascular fitness, percent of body fat, flexibility, muscular strength and endurance.  MUW Health and Kinesiology  faculty and students administered the fitness tests.  Results from the tests were given to parents during their parent/teacher conferences in October.  This information is valuable to the parents, students, MUW and CMSD.  This partnership provides university students with hands-on experience administering the tests.  Franklin Academy received  accurate and valid data taken in this controlled setting.  The opportunity served as an introduction into other related programs between the university and the magnet school. Post- tests will be given in late spring of 2009 to measure the impact of the year- long fitness program established this school year.                          

Mississippi State University’s Extension Agency

The partnership with Mississippi State University’s Extension Agency was established to support the nutritional element in the wellness theme and its medical importance as well.  The partnership insures every student the opportunity to learn from a nutritional professional.

Organwise Guys, is a program facilitated by 4-H Agent, Sharon Patrick.  Mrs. Patrick presents a program to third and fourth graders every week that emphasizes the impact of healthy eating habits and exercise on a designated part of the human anatomy.  The program will culminate in February with an interactive encounter, Body Walk, presented by medical technology students at McKellar Technology Center.  Angie Evans, a nutritional educator, encompasses all aspects of nutrition for K-2nd grade students.  Ms. Evans visits each grade level monthly where she incorporates puppets, art and cooking into her lessons.

  

      Teachers are reinforcing the importance of proper nutritional habits by allowing students to take water bottles into the classrooms and promoting our “healthy snacks only” policy.  Teachers also serve as role models by eating healthy and exercising themselves.

Students receive a high quality learning experience aimed at preparing them for the global society in which we live.

The unique learning experience is based on state and national curriculum standards.

Students explore medical sciences with a perspective of health care professionals:

medical doctors, nurses, health care specialists, therapists, technicians.

Emphasis is given to developing strategies to maintain healthy lifestyles, proper nutrition and physical fitness.