Students at Gilles-Sweet Elementary are taking steps to increase their daily movement and overall health. And it has certainly paid off.

A group of 5th grade students earned second place in the 2019 Youth MOVement challenge sponsored by the Community West Foundation and the Cleveland Clinic Regional Hospital’s “Straight from the Heart” initiative. Students tracked their movement with a wearable technology device, a MOVband, during the month of February and averaged over 13,500 moves per student.

The Community West Foundation/Cleveland Clinic Regional Hospitals awarded the students with the $1,000 grant, which is intended to enhance the health and wellness for the participating class/school.

Physical Education Teacher Nathan Kull said the students plan to use the funds to replace some gym equipment.

Last year, 5th grade students earned 1st place and a $5,000 grant through the same program. They are working to build ga-ga pits outdoors at the school.