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View Winners → Local Alternative Private School Introduces Innovative Lunch & Fitness Program to Promote Healthy Living
Arcadia Weekly Jan 26, 2012
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Fusion Academy Pasadena Tackles Childhood Obesity with Proactive Approach
In an ongoing effort to educate students on the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices, Fusion Academy & Learning Center Pasadena has developed relationships with two local companies – Chef by Request and Equinox – to launch a new lunch and fitness program promoting proper nutrition and exercise.
Fusion Academy Pasadena is an alternative college-prep private school featuring one-to-one classes and flexible scheduling for students in grades 6-12. With a fast food restaurant on just about every main street corner in America, it’s no surprise that the most recent statistics indicate that childhood obesity rates have tripled in the past 30 years. To combat the growing childhood obesity problem, Fusion Academy is seeking to provide long-term education benefits to its students by providing them with the tools to eat and exercise right.
Students attending Fusion Academy will have an opportunity to order lunch meals from Chef by Request that, like the academic education they receive, will be tailored specifically to their individualized needs – these meals will promote whole and natural nutrition, while moving students away from processed foods. Sample lunch selections from the California-based company may include grilled turkey-curry pita, chilled melon soup with vegetable and mozzarella salad, and teriyaki pepper steak salad. Lunches will be delivered daily to Fusion Academy’s Pasadena campus to ensure freshness.
Just as important as eating properly is exercising daily. Founded 20 years ago in San Diego with the belief that the traditional educational model did not work for every student, educators at Fusion Academy understand that the same principal applies for physical education. While all students need exercise, the specific exercise appropriate for each student differs. Given that, Fusion Academy has reached an agreement with Equinox that will allow students to work individually with trainers to determine the appropriate workout routine for their specific body requirements.
“Our objective with these new programs is to shape our students intellectually, emotionally and physically for success in school and in daily life,” said Francisco Ayala, Fusion Academy Pasadena head of school. “The childhood obesity problem is not going to disappear overnight, but if we take the appropriate steps in educating our students about the long-term benefits of eating and exercising properly we can begin to tackle the issue and, hopefully, drive the rates down.”
Participation in the new Fusion Academy lunch and fitness program is voluntary. The program was piloted at the school’s Warner Center campus and after great initial success there is being introduced at additional Fusion Academy locations. For more information on Fusion Academy & Learning Center Pasadena, please visit www.FusionPasadena.com.
About Fusion Academy and Learning Center:
Fusion Academy and Learning Center offers students in grades six through twelve an alternative to the traditional classroom setting through one-to-one teaching and customized academic programs. Through individual mentoring, teaching and custom-tailored programs, each student’s unique talents are both recognized and encouraged in a positive environment. Fusion Learning Center offers one-to-one tutoring, mentoring, independent studies and test preparation, as well as a rich music and art program. For more information, visit www.FusionAcademy.com.
