Block party kicks off city elementary sports program

August 8, 2013 at 2:39p.m.

The program begins with girls volleyball this fall with other sports added as the year progresses

Youngstown

The city schools’ extracurricular elementary sports program kicks off Saturday with a Let’s Move Block Party.

Kathy Hammond, president and CEO of Finer Things Academy, which is running the sports program for the school district, said the event is a take off of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Initiative aimed at fostering a healthy lifestyle through exercise and proper eating. The block party runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday on Federal Plaza East downtown.

There is no charge although healthy boxed lunches will be for sale at Joe Max Coffee.

The elementary sports program for third through sixth graders begins this fall with girls’ volleyball.

The school district is starting the sports program as a way to foster a sense of community with the elementary schools.

“It will expand as the year goes on through each of the seasons,” said Doug Hiscox, Youngstown schools deputy superintendent for academic affairs.

Hammond said plans call for boys and girls basketball in the winter and track and field in the spring, with the idea of softball and baseball being discussed.

Each elementary school will have a team and Hammond hopes for 20 students per team per school or a couple hundred students involved for the year.

Read more in Friday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com