CHARLESTON, W.Va. – In an effort to improve student health and wellness, the West Virginia Board of Education on Wednesday declared May 2 as Let’s Move West Virginia Day and resolved to promote National Sport and Physical Education Week April 30 through May 4.

In adopting a resolution, board members encouraged all West Virginia public schools “to promote physical activity every day,” and especially on Let’s Move! WV Day on May 2 when special activities will be planned statewide.

“The state Board of Education recognizes that the academic success of our children is strongly linked to their health and well-being,” said state Superintendent of Schools Jorea Marple. “If we are going to truly prepare students to be college and career ready we must focus on the whole child and that includes exercise and good eating habits.”

The resolution is part of the state Board of Education’s health and wellness efforts to make physical wellness a priority as the state strives to educate the whole child through the Let’s Move! WV project.

Let’s Move! WV promotes West Virginia’s physical education and wellness curriculum by providing non-competitive physical activity aimed at engaging students in fun, recreational and lifelong learning opportunities. Let’s Move! WV Physical Activity Resource Guide is available online at http://wvde.state.wv.us/healthyschools.

“Any time we can encourage children to be active it is a good thing,” Marple said. “If we can get kids more involved and interested in exercise, good nutrition and overall wellness, their quality of life will greatly improve.”

For more information, contact the Office of Communication at (304) 558-2699.