Teachers move gym class to Richmond parks

RICHMOND, Va. -- No gym, no problem. That's why Richmond Public Schools Health & PE Coordinator Dr. Stefanie Ramsey started making exercise videos for students to do at home.

"I wanted to have some ways to reach out to our kids and give them some options for activities," she said. "We've done two videos here in Byrd Park. And then we went to different parks because I wanted to highlight the different parks where our students live so they knew where to get out and get exercise."

It wasn't hard for her to find a little help.

"I had about five teachers that said, ‘Hey-I'll come out and meet you. I'd love to do that!’"

Teachers like Ashley Heyden and Jasmine Williams.

"When you exercise your body naturally creates those endorphins and those are your happy hormones that make you like, Yes! I'm excited!" Ms. Heyden said.

"My kids live in a very stressful environment," Ms. Williams added. “(I’m) able to provide them with something to do; get outside and do something with their families and friends.”

The one thing they want students to remember is that exercise has many benefits.

“We had a teacher at one of the elementary schools that started his run program in the mornings," Ramsey said. "The students were coming to school on time. They were missing less days. Their grades were higher. They had higher SOL scores. There's absolutely a direct correlation."

Building better bodies has a direct impact on Building Better Minds.