(Cornwall) – Students and staff at East Front Public School kicked off their third year of Froglogic participation last week with Mission F – a two-day celebration of “fun” activities which focused on physical fitness, healthy eating and character-building ideals.

On Thursday afternoon students from kindergarten to grade 6 participated in an outdoor “play day” where they played active games in the schoolyard and enjoyed the fall weather. Friday morning students took part in a variety of classroom-based activity stations that revolved around the school’s eight Froglogic virtues: Have a Positive Attitude, Be Healthy, Physically Train, Motivate Yourself, Show Respect for Others, Create Goals for Yourself, Have Integrity, and Find a Mentor.

Student groups spent 10 minutes at each station, which were hosted by staff or community members like Julie St. Jean from the Eastern Ontario Health Unit. Students enjoyed listening to guest speakers like local magician Ryan Lalonde and a group of Cornwall Colts hockey players, as well as writing down personal goals and exercising to uplifting music.

“Mission F was created to help get students back into the groove of Froglogic,” said teacher Paula McCallum. “We have organized three missions for the year on top of our daily physical training exercises and healthy eating programs.”

Froglogic is a fitness, nutrition and character-building program that was developed by former Navy SEAL David B. Rutherford. East Front’s previous principal Kieran Kennedy introduced his own version of Froglogic to students in 2007 and challenged them to a variety of missions to help them build confidence through physical fitness and mental discipline. Kennedy has since been transferred to Central Public School, while new principal Kevin Cooper and staff are continuing to carry on the Froglogic tradition at East Front.

This year, East Front teachers set aside 10 additional minutes each day (on top of regular physical education classes) for in-class exercise routines, said McCallum. East Front also offers the Healthy Eating for Better Learning program through the Upper Canada Leger Centre for Education and Training which provides students with fresh fruit, cheese and other healthy snacks that are available every day.

McCallum said the school’s two future missions include a physically active fun day which will take place mid-year, as well as Drive for 300, a spring initiative in support of the Children’s Treatment Centre in Cornwall where both East Front and Central Public School will aim to gather 300 participants for the Bike-A-Thon PLUS event.

“It’s one of my goals to keep Froglogic alive and well at East Front,” McCallum said. “We’ve started a committee so that we can help continue to trickle Froglogic information home to families.”

“Froglogic has also put a lot of staff members on the right path,” said teacher Suzanne Dilabio. “A lot of us are either going to the gym or exercising at home.”

Grade 5 students Erika King and Christian Munafo agreed Mission F was a great way to start the school year.

“It’s really fun and important to set goals for yourself,” said King.

“All of the missions are important to me,” said Munafo. “If you don’t motivate yourself you won’t achieve anything.”  

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For more information please call:

Paula McCallum

Elementary Teacher

East Front Public School

613-932-5318

Suzanne Dilabio

Elementary Teacher

East Front Public School

613-932-5318