LM October 2015

Ergo Chairs: *One Kindergarten teacher shared, "I have loved these chairs...more than I ever thought I would. The kids were great with them!" *97% (188/194 students) enjoyed using the Ergo chairs and would want to use them again. *Students noted that they liked the bold colors of the chairs and that they were fun and comfortable. Other specific benefits included that they were good for practicing balance and working core muscles and that they were easy to move around.

Students learning in motion at Windsor Elementary

By Adam Harris, Communications Coordinator Arlington Heights School District 25 Windsor Elementary School, in Arlington Heights, became involved in a literal movement last year, and the Wildcats will keep on moving this school year. After researching different ways to engage students, Principal Shelley Fabrizio and Assistant Principal Virginia (Ginny) Hiltz used school improvement funds to allow their Wildcats to stay fit while learning by purchasing various fit workstations. “ This was a great experiment,” Fabrizio said. “It allowed students to take ownership of their learning because they had to be mindful of when they were feeling engaged and how their physical needs impacted their attention and focus.” Windsor purchased many fit workstations, ranging from standing desks, bike desks, an elliptical desk,

desk cycles to Ergo chairs. These pieces rotated throughout the building in classrooms last year as every student at Windsor had the chance to try at least one piece of equipment. The students were then surveyed (results on page 2) to find out which fit workstation best “fit” their needs. “Some of the pieces were a huge hit, and others weren’t as popular,” Hiltz said, “but the bottom line is that students loved the chance to test them out. Many even said they were able to concentrate and focus more on academics while using the equipment and that’s what we were after.” There was no question, however, that the Ergo chairs were an all around hit. Windsor purchased six more Ergo chairs at the end of last year, all of which are currently being used every day throughout the school.

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