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Almost 1 in 5 Local Fifth Graders Below Healthy Fitness Level

Data from a report released today shows that 18 percent of fifth graders from the San Rafael Elementary and Dixie Elementary districts are not considered to be in the "healthy fitness zone."

Almost one in five elementary school students performed below the healthy fitness level for the 2011-12 school year, according to the California Department of Education.

Data from a report released today shows that 18 percent of fifth graders from the San Rafael Elementary and Dixie Elementary districts are not considered to be in the "healthy fitness zone" that measured aerobic capacity, body composition, abdominal and upper body strength and flexibility.

The "healthy fitness zone" is a standard that represents a level of fitness that staves off diseases that result from sedentary living.

Approximately 22 percent of San Rafael Elementary students performed below  that standard, higher that the county's average of 16 percent. Dixie students performed higher that the county, with approximately 14 percent below the standard. 

See the data below.

Dixie Elementary School District

Physical Fitness Area Total Students Tested % of Students in HFZ % of Students Need Improvement % Of Students at High Risk Aerobic Capacity 178 79.2 15.2 5.6 Body Composition 178 71.9 13.5 14.6 Abdominal Strength 178 87.6 12.4 N/A Trunk Extensor Strength 178 90.4 9.6 N/A Upper Body Strength 178 91.6 8.4 N/A Flexibility 178 72.5 27.5 N/A

San Rafael Elementary School District

Physical Fitness Area Total Students Tested % of Students in HFZ % of Students Need Improvement % Of Students at High Risk Aerobic Capacity 414 59.9 33.1 7.0 Body Composition 414 54.3 12.6 33.1 Abdominal Strength 414 82.6 17.4 N/A Trunk Extensor Strength 414 88.6 11.4 N/A Upper Body Strength 414 70.0 30.0 N/A Flexibility 414 72.7 27.3 N/A

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Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
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Kevin Moore May 11, 2013 at 04:20 pm
It would be nice if the comments section had "Thumbs up / Thumbs down" like the PressRead More Democrat.
Bob April 6, 2013 at 05:20 pm
Check with the San Rafael planning commission and get the low-down on why they turned down aRead More developer who submitted his plans to demolish and rebuild a mixed commercial/residential building at 2nd and B. That's directly across the street from SVDP, and a notorious loitering spot. It's currently a run-down box building that's long past its prime. The developer came in with a beautiful plan, and it was denied for, among other things, because it was not in keeping with the "Victorian era" of the others, and because the city was afraid people would store their bikes on the balconies. Take a look at it. It's the most run-down corner in the downtown area. A great way for a small town to thrive and achieve an identity, is to get people living there. The city makes it extremely difficult with their rigid design board, and archaic operations that remind me of private industry in the 70s. Oh, and then they approved Target - completely disregarding the data from our neighbors up north, as well as other small towns.
Scott Adams April 4, 2013 at 07:08 pm
Tim, I am aware of many who want to increase the housing density downtown. I am also aware thereRead More has been objections particularly around the bus and future SMART station. It seems having commercial use at street level and housing above is favored by the city. It would definitely help bring people downtown. Other elements besides safety, includes maintenance, on going activities and marketing. I made reference to Healdsburg which is a good case study. They endorsed a study by urban planners around 1990. It took until 2000 when Hotel Healdsburg opened and then the downtown took off. They have one big asset and that is their city park which is where they have ongoing activities. Public Spaces such as this offer a sense of place and acts as a magnet. If you go two or three block away from the park, Healdsburg is just another sleepy little town of 11,000. Sure the wine country is a tourist attraction, but according to the County Visitor's Bureau Marin has 12 million visitors a year who enjoy our natural environment and 80% leave and go elsewhere in the evening.
Tim H April 4, 2013 at 04:41 pm
Thank you all for your interest in this topic. Scott, are you aware of any new multifamily or mixedRead More use housing in downtown on the horizon? Someone in another article mentioned the need for greater density in the downtown area. It seems like greater density could make San Rafael a more attractive place to bring business. Maybe it's me being optimistic, but certain areas seem ripe for development which could be a catalyst for improving downtown. Just curious if others had any perspective of this issue.