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Massachusetts Kids Forced to Weigh In or Lose Funding

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker, Franklin,MA/508-369-5131 9017020

The state of Massachusetts is requiring local towns to report student's body mass index in order to qualify to receive $43,000 in state funding over the next decade but the towns are burdened with handling the necessary staffing for this project.

The Massachusetts Public Health Council and the Mass in Motion anti-obesity initiative requires that all schools that receive Dept. of Public Health grants calculate students' body mass indexes to determine healthy proportions then confidentially report findings to parents.person on scale

The town of Franklin, MA at a recent school committee meeting discussed how to handle this issue for its 6,100 enrolled students.  There was discussion over the inappropriateness of government getting involved in private weight matters, concern regarding what the state may ultimately do with the compiled reports as well as the irony of the issue given that severe physical education cutbacks have been seen statewide.

These are difficult issues for sure, but I do not personally believe the government should be making this reporting a prerequisite for obtaining local funding.  Franklin recently offered a more expanded version of its previous physical education requirement in which students can meet guidelines through participation in any structured sport whether it is 3 days per week with a personal trainer or 5 days on the Cross Country Team.  Physical education does not need to be held as a class during the school day any longer as long as students do something active.  Students benefit by staying involved with their peers while simultaneously getting great cardiovascular benefits.

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Kathy Stankard of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage can be reached by cell at 508-369-5131 or via email

Kathy has been a top producing REALTOR since 1996 helping buyers and sellers in the Franklin, MA and metrowest of Boston area.  Feel free to check out her website for more resources and information.

 

 

Franklin MA Real Estate News

Comments (4)

Kathleen Cooper
Kathleen Cooper, Sposato Realty Group - Worcester, MA
Sposato Realty Group - Broker Owner

This is interesting to say the least.  Could they be denied funding based on the reported body mass indexes or do they just need the information to help structure where to go next with physical education?  Obesity in our country is getting outrageous, I see it in young children even.  If parents won't get involved with it, but complain about the government getting involved, who will fix the issue?

Sincerely,

Kathleen

Nov 10, 2009 03:21 AM
Anonymous
Kathy Stankard

My understanding is that the towns must report the BMI results to the state DPH in order to be eligble for funding but there is no telling how the data will be used. 

Nov 10, 2009 03:43 AM
#2
Carolina Ruiz
My Real Estate Pro - West Covina, CA

A very intriguing idea. Let us know how this plays out :). I loved the picture that you used for this.

Nov 12, 2009 08:45 AM
Kathy Stankard
Coldwell Banker, Franklin,MA/508-369-5131 - Franklin, MA
Years of Experience, Years of Results

Thanks Carolina. 

Nov 12, 2009 10:00 AM