LAGRANGE, IL — Earlier this year, Highland School Physical Educators Beth Eskra, Cheryl Groetsma and Kevin Kolar introduced Postural Awareness Training (PAT), a postural fitness education program, into the physical education (PE) curriculum at LaGrange Middle School in LaGrange, IL. The program was originally designed by Right Fit-Education, a group that designs fitness and wellness programs that establish lifelong healthy habits for all ages with an emphasis on youth and youth with special needs. Students attended the postural fitness education classes twice a week as a supplement to their normal physical education program.
The PAT program benefits more than 300 students at LaGrange Highlands Middle School District. Right Fit and the Highlands Physical Education team work together to teach age-appropriate physical activities designed to increase the students' fitness and wellness. Right Fit-Education taught the Highlands middle school teachers the PAT techniques, and the school disctrict can continue to use the program after its initial six-week session. Elements of the program include an in-depth computerized postural assessment, fitness program and an individualized posture report card.